Freed Rochdale grooming gang leader was judged ‘high risk’ to children in 2023 03. July 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Shabir Ahmed, jailed in 2012 for rape, abuse and trafficking of girls, was deemed three years ago to present ‘high risk of sexual offending’The leader of the Rochdale grooming gang was deemed to pose a “very high risk of serious harm” towards children just three years ago, the Guardian can reveal.Shabir Ahmed, 73, was freed from HMP Leeds on Thursday despite three failed attempts to secure parole, the most recent of which was in October 2024. One document, relating to a previous review in 2023, shows Ahmed was seen to present a “high risk of sexual offending”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation is campaigning directly to Christians. But will party policies rub against worshippers’ conscience? 03. July 2026 (16:57) Anti-abortion policies may have appeal, but with one in three Australian churchgoers born overseas, talk of a monoculture may put them offGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen One Nation recruit Barnaby Joyce addressed anti-abortion campaigners at a Sydney rally in early June, the former deputy prime minister told the audience he could see “about 1,500 people who can hand out how to vote cards”.Christian leaders spoke at the rally. The Lord’s Prayer was recited. Many there were active churchgoers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW government ‘absolutely thrilled’ to welcome OpenAI ... until someone mentioned the Terminator films 03. July 2026 (16:54) Emails sent between MP Anoulak Chanthivong’s staff take cautious approach to AI giant arriving in Sydney – despite the government’s encouragementGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW technology minister’s office removed a reference to being “absolutely thrilled” about OpenAI opening a Sydney office after staffers joked a dystopian Skynet could be headed for the city within five years.Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI announced its first Australian office in August last year, before opening in December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Entire NSW Labor left calls for controversial anti-protest laws to be scrapped ahead of party conference 03. July 2026 (16:53) Fifty-six state branches want the laws reviewed, while gambling, Aukus and Palestine are also on the agendaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFifty-six Labor branches have passed motions to the New South Wales state conference calling for controversial anti-protest laws to be repealed or reviewed, with the entire left faction backing a motion for two of the laws to be repealed.Gambling reform, Aukus and Palestine were also among the top issues in motions submitted by branches to the conference, the last before the March election and which is key in informing policy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Biggest ever byelection will test nation’s mood – and Burnham’s credentials 03. July 2026 (16:41) ‘Hugely significant’ race for Manchester mayor will give clues on whether PM-in-waiting can turn tide against Reform UKAndy Burnham was delivered to the steps of Downing Street after one of the most consequential parliamentary byelections in recent British history.But it is the race to be his successor as Greater Manchester mayor that could reveal far more about the mood of the nation than the historic – and unique – contest in Makerfield. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Louisiana court halts criminal indictment against state attorney general 03. July 2026 (16:06) Republican Liz Murrill was indicted for the alleged intimidation of New Orleans elected officialsSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Louisiana’s highest court has granted a stay of the proceedings in a criminal indictment targeting the state’s attorney general, in the latest twist of a high-stakes political battle between Republican state leaders and Democrats who govern its most famous city, New Orleans.Liz Murrill, a Republican who is Louisiana’s first female attorney general, was slapped with a 16-count indictment on Thursday by a New Orleans grand jury charging her with intimidation and malfeasance. The charges effectively accused her of trying to intimidate New Orleans officials who fought a law passed by Republican legislators to overhaul the city’s courts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starling Bank to cut 130 jobs and boost investment in AI to reduce costs 03. July 2026 (14:40) The London-based fintech says restructuring is necessary to reduce ‘duplicate’ rolesBusiness live – latest updatesStarling Bank has said it will cut more than 100 jobs as it invests more heavily in artificial intelligence to push down costs.The digital-only bank told staff that 3% of its workforce, or 130 jobs, would be made redundant, as part of a restructuring of its banking and tech operations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK parents warned over posting images of children amid AI sexual abuse fears 03. July 2026 (14:07) Exclusive: National Crime Agency and safety watchdog issue guidance amid rise in explicit material onlineAI prey: why watchdogs are telling parents to protect children from nudification appsThe UK National Crime Agency has recommended parents should not put photos of their children on public display online as part of landmark guidance to tackle the rise of AI-generated sexual abuse material.Advice issued by the NCA and the child safety watchdog the Internet Watch Foundation suggests parents and guardians make their social media accounts private or share pictures of their children through a “close friends” group. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats will have ‘field day’ with Trump inquiries if they win House, legal experts say 03. July 2026 (14:00) Investigations into president and corruption charges will get heavy scrutiny if Democrats win majority in midtermsDonald Trump’s presidency is facing investigations and corruption charges from a key House Democrat and ex-prosecutors, involving political and personal abuses of power, which legal experts predict will get heavy scrutiny if Democrats win the House majority in the midterms.Legal critics call the scandals dogging the president “target rich” for investigations that Democrats will have a “field day” investigating if they win the House majority. Critics cite, for instance, Trump’s damaging the rule of law by weaponizing the Department of Justice (DoJ) to exact revenge on political foes and protect himself from federal investigations, plus Trump moves to profit in radical ways from his presidency with lucrative and new cryptocurrency ventures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How baby formula recalls have mounted amid Trump staff cuts to the FDA 03. July 2026 (14:00) Experts say the Food and Drug Administration is not prepared for the health threat of bacterial contaminationMultiple brands of infant formula have been recalled recently due to bacterial contamination, and experts say the Food and Drug Administration is inadequately prepared to deal with the health threat they pose in the wake of Trump administration cuts.Last March, the FDA announced the launch of Operation Stork Speed, specifically intended to “expand options for safe, reliable, and nutritious infant formula for American families”. Two months later, Martin Makary, who was FDA commissioner at the time, told Congress that the FDA had lost around 3,100 employees due to the Trump administration’s reorganization and cuts. Makary departed the FDA the same month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
