The Guardian

‘Riot of colour’: Gillian Ayres show in Devon just the tonic for gloomy times

Plymouth retrospective of artist, who died in 2018, aims to ‘champion and celebrate the power of the imagination’She spoke about indulging in colour, feasting on beauty, feeling a little giddy when drinking in glorious hues and textures – and not searching too deeply for meaning.So in these gloomy times, a major retrospective of the work of the artist Gillian Ayres in her adopted Devon homeland may be just the job. Continue reading...

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

‘Birth tourism’ in Trump administration’s sights after supreme court setback | First Thing

Federal prosecutors to focus on issue despite court backing constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. Plus: Greek priest whose metal music has become cult smashGood morning.The acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, has said federal prosecutors and law enforcement officers will focus on combating so-called “birth tourism” – which involves tourists, temporary visitors, or undocumented immigrants traveling to the US primarily to give birth and and secure birthright citizenship for their

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

MPs seek to end UK broadcast of Russian cartoon Masha and the Bear

Cross-party group writes to ministers of concerns children’s show contains unsubtle ‘propaganda content’UK politics live – latest updatesA cartoon for preschoolers depicting the adventures of a small girl and a retired circus bear may seem an unlikely source of parliamentary concern.Yet a cross-party group of MPs has written to ministers urging them to examine whether they can stop the globally popular Masha and the Bear from being broadcast in the UK, alleging it amounts to a cuddly form of Rus

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

9 Buddhist Monks Killed After Boy Crashes Truck Into Procession

Another 11 were injured when the pickup truck hit the monks on a pilgrimage in northeast Thailand.

general  Jul 2, 2026

BBC World

Watch: BBC at site of deadly Russian attack on Kyiv flats

Sarah Rainsford reports from the completely destroyed nine-storey block of flats in Ukraine's capital.

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Russia’s Deadly Attack on Ukraine Reminds Europe of Its Vulnerabilities

Governments across the continent have increased military spending, but the strikes are another warning that they need to be prepared if the conflict crosses into NATO territory.

general  Jul 2, 2026

WSJ World News

What Germany’s Economic Overhaul Means for Its Economy

The measures are a political gamble for a government that has seen its ratings plummet in the past year.

general  Jul 2, 2026

BBC World

Watch: PM's former top aide on Starmer's first call with Trump

Trump was more 'funny' than he had been expecting, Morgan McSweeney told the BBC.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Papua separatists kill American pilot in ‘message’ to US and Indonesia

Rebels shoot pilot and set his civilian ⁠plane on fire amid long-running low-level battle for independence in regionSeparatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive easternmost region of Papua have shot dead an American pilot and set a civilian ⁠plane on fire, in what a spokesperson for a local militant group described as a “message” to the US and Indonesian governments.Sebby Sambom, ⁠a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), named the pilot as Nicholas F Gosselin and said sepa

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Putin Retaliates With New Strikes After Ukraine Takes the War to Russia

Ukraine is taking the war to Russia, but so far President Vladimir V. Putin’s response has been to keep attacking, including with deadly ballistic missile and drone strikes in Kyiv on Thursday.

general  Jul 2, 2026

NY Times World

Vatican Excommunicates Breakaway Group, in First Major Crisis for Pope Leo

The move against the Society of St. Pius X followed its decision to defy Pope Leo XIV by consecrating new bishops against his wishes.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Nippon Steel takeover doesn’t mean safer, cleaner conditions, US workers and residents say

Pennsylvania families note promised investment has yet to deliver safer mills or cleaner air in the Mon ValleyIt was two days before Father’s Day, and Trisha Quinn was wondering how her six, 12 and 17-year-old nieces and nephews would handle the first of many without their dad.Timothy Quinn, 39, worked at the Clairton Coke Works plant south of Pittsburgh, one of US Steel’s biggest production sites and the largest of its kind in the western hemisphere, for 18 years. Last August, he and colleague,

general  Jul 2, 2026

BBC World

Nine Thai monks killed after 11-year-old driver collides with procession

The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking by the roadside when the truck ploughed into them.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

June’s sunshine adds extra sweetness to bumper summer for UK strawberries

Weather this year has encouraged smaller but earlier cropping of sweet and bountiful fruit in gardens, RHS saysIf your bowl of strawberries and cream tastes particularly sweet this year, you’re not mistaken.It is a bumper summer for strawberries, with the recent weather conditions making them more abundant and delicious than ever, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Continue reading...

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Social media platforms ‘monetise gore and fringe content’, eSafety regulator tells antisemitism commission

Julie Inman Grant singles out X when giving evidence to royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMainstream platforms are fighting to distribute and monetise “gore” and “fringe” content, the eSafety watchdog has told the antisemitism royal commission.Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, on Thursday singled out X, telling the inquiry her office has to fight its billionaire owner, Elon Musk, to try to keep footag

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Forecasters warn of record-breaking US summer heat amid intense El Niño

More than 100 million people could be affected in week leading to 4 July, with increased risks of droughts and wildfiresMeteorologists are anticipating a tumultuous summer that could rank as one of the US’s hottest ever.New data released on Tuesday showed the first six months of the year were the hottest ever measured for parts of eight western states. Continue reading...

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Convicted people smuggler reportedly living in UK should be deported, Tories say

Man once called ‘godfather’ of Calais migrant camps lives in Leicestershire and is said to be trying to claim asylumA convicted people smuggler who has reportedly been found living in Britain should be arrested and deported, the Conservatives have said.The man, once labelled “the godfather” of the Calais migrant camps, was tracked down by the BBC to Leicestershire, where he reportedly changed his name from Twana Jamal and was working illegally while attempting to claim asylum. Continue reading..

general  Jul 2, 2026

WSJ World News

Beijing Says Pilot Who Crashed Into Skyscraper Had Suicidal Thoughts

Authorities pointed to personal, not political, motivations after the 66-year-old flew his light aircraft into the Chinese capital’s tallest building.

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

Côte d’Ivoire floods kill 59 as west Africa endures torrential rains

Authorities say rainy season deadlier, with Ghana reporting 13 dead and floods also hitting Benin, Togo and Nigeria Floods in Côte d’Ivoire have killed 59 people since May, the communication minister told a cabinet meeting in Abidjan.There are fears the toll could further rise as rescue teams continue to search for victims during the rainy season, which runs from May until July, the minister, Amadou Coulibaly, added. Continue reading...

general  Jul 2, 2026

The Guardian

No 10 accepts all recommendations in Southport attack inquiry, Mahmood says

First phase of inquiry identified multiple failings to prevent murders of three girls, which government will ‘urgently’ addressDowning Street has accepted all recommendations for changes made by an inquiry which found the Southport killings could have been prevented and identified “fundamental failings”, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has said.Mahmood said the government would do “whatever is needed to protect the public” as she accepted the recommendations from the first phase of the Sout

general  Jul 2, 2026