Baptism record at Manchester Cathedral offers insight into Black Mancunian life in Georgian-era England 05. July 2026 (10:00) A parish entry reveals an argument that proved pivotal to the abolitionist cause, at a time when an estimated 20,000 Black people were living in the countryWhen the abolitionist Thomas Clarkson gave a sermon in 1787 at Manchester Cathedral – during the city’s first mass meeting against the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans – he saw a “great crowd of black people standing round the pulpit”.However, little is known about Black Mancunians in the Georgian era, which makes one recently rediscovered entry in parish records at Manchester Cathedral particularly significant. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW Labor toughens pokies stance as Sydney inner west mayor points to ‘unstoppable’ momentum for reform 05. July 2026 (08:34) State Labor conference passes motion committing to higher taxes on some clubs and moratorium on licenses for new machines Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, will take a tougher stance on poker machines to the next election after being pushed to adopt the approach by the party’s left.A motion which passed the NSW Labor conference with unanimous support on Sunday afternoon has added a plan to take “decisive action” on problem gambling and the growing use of poker machines to its policy platform, amid surging profits for operators and accusations of inaction on reform. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ofsted drops ‘clumsy’ and ‘offensive’ guidance linking autism and extremism 05. July 2026 (08:00) Training document used to teach inspectors updated after campaign by celebrities including Chris PackhamOfsted, the body responsible for safeguarding in education in England, has dropped guidance for inspectors that linked autism and extremism after an outcry from celebrity campaigners.An education minister has disclosed that an updated training document “no longer includes reference to children with autism” after claims that it was “offensive” and “clumsy” discrimination. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mysterious debris found on Queensland beaches could be ‘space balls’ – and may contain toxic rocket fuel 05. July 2026 (07:52) Australian Space Agency working to confirm origin of objects as space archaeologist says they may be connected to a rocket launchGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSix pieces of suspected space debris found washed up on north Queensland beaches could be “space balls” that are often left over from rocket launches, according to one expert.The Australian Space Agency confirmed on Sunday it was working to determine the nature and origin of the mysterious objects, which police said were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
