Boost City regulator’s powers to help protect UK consumers from AI, says watchdog 06. July 2026 (13:11) FCA’s review into how tech will reshape financial services warns about amplified risks of cyber-crime and fraudBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters have been urged to toughen the City regulator’s powers to protect consumers against the potential risks of AI, according to a landmark review.The Mills review by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which looked at how AI will reshape financial services from 2030 onward, found that companies are already starting to shift from human-led activities towards AI-enabled services for everyday consumers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Turkey intensifies crackdown on public life in run-up to Nato summit in Ankara 06. July 2026 (13:00) More than 200 arrested in raids, comedian and journalists jailed, gay-friendly cruise turned away and protests bannedAuthorities in Turkey have widened a crackdown on public life, arresting more than 200 people during raids across Ankara last month, jailing a comedian and blocking a cruise ship carrying LGBTQ+ passengers from docking in the run-up to the Nato summit in the capital.The arrests followed a ban on demonstrations in Ankara that was put in place until 10 July. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said this was evidence of Turkey’s “ruthless intolerance of freedom of speech and assembly”. The watchdog group said the Nato summit, which starts on Tuesday, was taking place in the context of intensifying violations of basic rights, “including far-reaching restrictions on the main political opposition party, the media, and freedom of expression in general”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Watchdog warns of risks to patients as private equity’s stake in US healthcare grows 06. July 2026 (13:00) New report details slew of ventures between private equity and nonprofits and calls for greater government oversight A watchdog group is calling for greater government oversight of joint ventures between private equity firms and non-profit healthcare providers, arguing that the arrangements could present “risks” to “patients, payers and employees”.In a new report, Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP), a vocal critic of the industry, detailed more than 500 joint ventures between private equity and nonprofit healthcare providers – ranging from rural hospitals to major religiously affiliated health systems to hospice care providers. The group argued those risks could include extraction of profit and a decline in quality of care. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Parents shocked after children’s paper hedgehogs found to contain pages from explicit novel 06. July 2026 (12:58) Handmade creations distributed to raise funds for charity prompt complaints to policeAt first, the cute paper hedgehogs seemed like a kind gesture. An older man had crafted the little creations from donated books to raise money for charity, handing them to children in local shops.But on closer inspection, some parents were horrified to discover the hedgehogs had been made from the pages of an erotic novel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wildfires rage across southern Europe, forcing thousands to flee homes 06. July 2026 (12:01) Tour de France spectator ban as country along with Spain, Portugal and Greece faces ‘powder keg’ after heatwaveEurope live – latest updatesWildfires raging across southern Europe have forced thousands to flee their homes and prompted officials to ban spectators from a stage of the Tour de France, amid warnings of “powder keg” conditions after a record-breaking early summer heatwave.Hundreds of firefighters are tackling blazes that have burned through almost 20,000 hectares (49,500 acres) in Portugal, Spain, France and Greece. Strong winds are forecast to fan the flames and temperatures are expected to rise again this week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why Australian PM's Kylie comments caused controversy 06. July 2026 (12:00) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised for remarks he made about popstar Kylie Minogue in a podcast interview last week.(BBC News)
Pizza Express ‘held inquiry into former prince Andrew’s visit to Woking branch’ 06. July 2026 (12:00) Firm reportedly felt it was in public interest to test alibi offered by former prince after Virginia Giuffre accusationPizza Express held an internal inquiry to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s visit to its Woking branch, as he has claimed he did on the day he is alleged to have had sex with a teenage victim of Jeffrey Epstein 20 miles away in central London, it has been reported.According to sources who spoke to the BBC, senior management at the restaurant chain held the investigation because they felt it was in the public interest to test the alibi the former Duke of York had offered. The broadcaster reported that the company had found neither evidence he had been to the restaurant in Surrey, nor evidence to definitively say he had not. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
