Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sparked controversy after participating in a "shag, marry, date" game during an interview with comedian Nikki Osborne, which detracted from his initial sensible response about being newly married. This incident highlights the challenges politicians face in navigating social media to connect with younger voters, as they balance a desire to appear relatable with the risk of engaging in potentially damaging content. Critics, including fellow politicians, have advised Albanese to be more cautious with his public comments, citing his need to avoid flippant answers that could backfire.
A Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv has killed at least 10 people and injured 46, marking the second large-scale assault on the Ukrainian capital in under a week. Ukraine's military reported that Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 drones during the attack, damaging at least 15 buildings, including four in the historic Podilskyi district. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that intelligence suggests another Russian assault may be imminent, coinciding with the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey.
Sky has announced a £1.6bn deal to acquire ITV’s broadcasting and streaming arm, creating the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster. This includes an initial payment of £1.2bn in cash and up to £200m contingent on 2027 advertising revenues, while Sky will also invest at least £2.1bn in the business from 2028 to 2032. Comcast will sell its Love Productions business to ITV for £200m, but the deal excludes ITV Studios, a major production company.
In Omdurman, Sudan, the maternity hospital Al-Dayat has resumed operations after a lengthy closure due to war, witnessing an increase in births from one or two cases daily to about 60. The health ministry has repaired 15 maternity wards and monthly deliveries in the capital have surged to approximately 7,000, though significant challenges remain, including high costs for births (ranging from 130,000 to 800,000 Sudanese pounds), medication shortages, and a lack of qualified medical staff. Mothers, like Fatima Abdel Rahman, are navigating these difficulties to access safe childbirth, having previously faced unsafe home births during the conflict.
A cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, carrying 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and Broadway star Patti LuPone, was blocked from docking in Turkey due to authorities citing that the group’s behavior did not align with the country's "moral values." For the first time in its 36-year history, Atlantis Events, the cruise operator, faced an explicit ban on entry based solely on the sexual orientation of its passengers. While the Scarlet Lady will now divert to Cairo and Crete, Turkey's long-standing issues with LGBTQ+ rights include bans on Pride events since 2015 and a historical precedent from 2000 when over 800 gay tourists were similarly denied entry.
A royal commission has heard that Meta's decision to cut back on "censorship" on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, may have resulted in increased antisemitic content. Following a January 2025 announcement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to reduce fact-checking and tackle only serious violations proactively, evidence presented indicated that problematic comments might be allowed under the new policies, such as statements about immigrants and stereotypes about race. While Meta claims a consistent 0.02% prevalence of hateful conduct policy violations since 2022, the commission noted a 79% drop in actions taken against hate speech, prompting questions about the impact of the policy changes on the moderation of harmful content.
A crowd of millions participated in the funeral procession for Iran's assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, moving through Tehran from Revolution Square to Azadi Square. The event, characterized by mourners wearing black and chanting slogans such as "we will rise," lasted an estimated 10 to 12 hours and was attended by prominent Iranian officials, with significant security measures resulting in no reported deaths during the procession. Over 300 foreign journalists were granted access to cover the event, which served as a demonstration of national unity following a period of protests and violence in the country.
China conducted a long-range missile test in the Pacific, which Australia condemned as "destabilising to the region," with the Australian government being informed only hours before the test took place. The missile, described as a "routine arrangement" for China’s military training, was fired from a strategic nuclear submarine and landed in designated waters, though specific coordinates were not disclosed. This test occurred on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a defense alliance, and it was reported that three Chinese satellite-tracking vessels were in the Pacific, likely to monitor the missile launch.
President Donald Trump succeeded in convincing NATO members to commit to increasing their defense spending to 5% of their annual GDP over the next decade, a mandate he will seek to enforce during an upcoming summit in Turkey. This meeting, characterized as the "first report card" on the commitments made at last year's summit, reflects Trump’s influence on the alliance despite ongoing tensions regarding various international issues. In addition to the defense discussions, Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit, while also continuing to express dissatisfaction with U.S. defense spending compared to other nations.
Residents in Crimea are reporting a "catastrophic" situation following a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil refineries, power plants, and military sites on the peninsula. These attacks have intensified recently in an effort to disrupt supply lines to Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine. The strikes are significant as they hold strategic importance for both Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Analysis by the National Housing Federation indicates that over half of all affordable homes in rural England could be at risk if the government proceeds with plans to relax section 106 agreements, which require affordable housing quotas for developments of 10 to 49 houses. The proposed changes could lead to a loss of 32,000 affordable homes over the next decade, exacerbating the ongoing rural housing crisis. Section 106 agreements currently account for 36% of all affordable homes delivered in the UK in the 2024-25 period, but ministers are considering allowing developers to make cash payments to councils instead of building affordable homes on site.
Many in Israel anticipate that US President Donald Trump will reassess the longstanding US-Israel alliance, particularly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces political peril due to corruption charges and a challenging election season. Relations between the US and Israel have soured, exacerbated by Trump's reported frustration with Netanyahu's military actions in Lebanon, indicating a potential shift in support for Israel among Trump's right-wing base, with notable critics emerging within the MAGA movement. Recent polls reflect growing skepticism towards US support for Israel, signalling a transformation in the political landscape that could impact future military and diplomatic actions.
Mexico's World Cup run ended in the round of 16 with a 3-2 loss to England at Estadio Azteca, despite having a home-field advantage and a passionate crowd of 80,824 fans backing them. Coach Javier Aguirre expressed disappointment after the defeat, noting that Mexico had not conceded any goals in their first four World Cup matches but struggled defensively against Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in rapid succession. This loss marks Mexico's eighth elimination in the round of 16 since 1986, when they last reached the quarterfinals, and Aguirre will be replaced by his assistant, Rafael Marquez, following the tournament.
Norway's Erling Haaland scored two late goals against Brazil, leading his team into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history. With this victory, Haaland has now scored 62 goals in 54 appearances for Norway, maintaining an impressive average of 1.15 goals per game, and his scoring streak for the national team has reached 27 goals in just 14 matches. Haaland's performance has put him on par with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, all tied for the Golden Boot with seven goals each in the tournament.
The Australian Space Agency has identified six mysterious "space balls" found on Queensland beaches as likely debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere; the objects were discovered washed ashore in Forrest Beach over a weekend. Authorities set up 50-metre exclusion zones around the items, which are believed to be pressurised fuel vessels made of titanium alloy, and warned the public not to touch or move them. The agency is working with international authorities to confirm the origin of the debris, noting that the launching state retains ownership of the materials under the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty.
On June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, the second measuring a magnitude of 7.5, leaving significant destruction in La Guaira state and trapping dozens, including 12-year-old Fabiana Blanco under her collapsed building. Fabiana endured 32 hours trapped in the rubble, managing to find food and record a desperate video plea for help before rescuers located her. Her mother, Karina, experienced intense fear and despair, alternating between hope and hopelessness as she searched for her daughter amidst the debris, until finally learning that Fabiana was alive.
Thousands of soldiers from pre-partition India who served in World War One are receiving recognition as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission updates its casualty records for the first time in over 80 years, adding 9,909 names. Researchers uncovered these names in historical registers from Punjab, where officials recorded 320,000 servicemen following the war. Of the newly recognized, about 25% were Sikhs, 25% Hindus, and approximately 40% Muslims, contributing to ongoing efforts to address the Euro-centric narrative of the war's history.
Allison Kirkby, BT’s first female CEO, has successfully led the company to an 80% rise in share price over two years, resulting in a pay package of £5.6 million last year, the highest in over a decade. Despite her achievements, challenges persist, including a 3% revenue decline last year and competition from Vodafone, while BT plans to cut its workforce by 40% to about 75,000 and has raised its savings target from £3 billion to £3.7 billion. Kirkby's leadership follows the groundwork laid by her predecessor, Philip Jansen, and the recent decision to rebrand BT as its flagship consumer identity has sparked confusion in the market.
Rescuers in Kyiv are urgently searching for individuals trapped under debris after Russian strikes killed at least nine people and injured 46, including five children. This was part of Russia's second wave of attacks in a week, which previously left 30 dead and prompted tens of thousands of residents to evacuate to metro stations. Ukrainian President Zelensky has warned that delays in receiving long-range missiles from allies could lead to more civilian casualties and has urged the US for licenses to manufacture Patriot missiles for defense.
As the FIFA World Cup enters its fourth week, fewer than half of the 48 participating teams remain, with Morocco, France, Norway, and England already securing spots in the quarterfinals. Upcoming round-of-16 matches include Portugal vs Spain and USA vs Belgium on July 6, followed by Switzerland vs Colombia and Argentina vs Egypt on July 7. The quarterfinal match schedule features France vs Morocco on July 9, the winner of USA/Belgium facing Portugal/Spain on July 10, Norway vs England on July 11, and Argentina/Egypt facing Switzerland/Colombia on July 12.
Ukraine aims to secure "drone deals" with at least seven NATO countries by the end of the year, having already signed agreements with six nations, including Latvia and Lithuania, and three Middle Eastern states: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The initiative promises to provide not only drones but also critical components like radar systems and ground stations, emphasizing Ukraine's transition from a military hardware recipient to a security provider. Ukraine's drone diplomacy, which began during escalating tensions related to Iran, seeks to strengthen partnerships and position Kyiv as a leader in drone defense technology amid increasing threats from Russian drone attacks.
The New South Wales opposition is calling for an independent review of the Department of Communities and Justice after a four-year-old boy was allegedly murdered, with police investigating the potential involvement of cannibalism. A 32-year-old woman has been charged with murder following the discovery of the child's body, which had significant arm injuries, at their home in Wyong. The department confirmed it had previous contact with the family, raising serious concerns over the effectiveness of the child protection system, which has been criticized for failing tens of thousands of vulnerable children.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession and Harry Kane added a penalty as 10-man England defeated Mexico 3-2 at Estadio Azteca, advancing to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. This victory marked just Mexico's third loss in 90 matches at the Azteca, and with over 80,000 fans in attendance, England's triumph helped exorcise memories of their 1986 quarter-final defeat to Argentina. Kane's goal was his sixth of the tournament, positioning him just one behind Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
On Monday, Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, resulting in at least eight deaths, including seven in the capital and one in the Bucha district, with at least 34 others wounded. The assault, which involved strikes on apartment blocks and buildings, is the second major attack on the city in less than a week, coinciding with increased long-range attacks from both Russia and Ukraine. While Ukraine has targeted energy facilities in Russian-controlled territories, Kyiv continues to defend strategic positions such as the eastern town of Kostyantynivka amid ongoing fighting.
OPEC+ announced plans to increase oil production by 188,000 barrels per day starting in August, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase as markets tentatively recover from the US-Israel war's impact on Iran. The seven member countries involved in this decision include Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, and they will reconvene on August 2 to assess conditions. OPEC+ production fell from 42.77 million barrels per day in February to 33.13 million barrels per day in May due to the Iran conflict, while Brent crude futures were at $72 as of July 6, 2026.
Melbourne footballer Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, is receiving "end-of-life" care in hospital after sustaining severe head injuries during a tackle in an Australian rules football game on Saturday in Lalor. Fitzgerald collided heads with another player before hitting his head on a harder section of the field, where a cricket pitch runs, leading to his deteriorating condition. Following the incident, there are calls for investigations into the safety of playing on fields with cricket pitches due to the associated risks highlighted by Fitzgerald's club president, Luke De Vincentis.
Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, is participating in a record sixth World Cup and has refused to confirm whether it will be his last, emphasizing he will retire on his own terms. He has scored three goals in the tournament so far and is set to make his 233rd appearance for Portugal when they face Spain in the knockout stage, despite having only four goals in his history against them. Ronaldo expressed confidence in his team's preparation and believes they can compete effectively against Spain, who he acknowledges as favorites due to their historical success.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwandan businessmen and companies involved in financing the M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through the illicit trade of conflict minerals, targeting individuals such as Jean Malic Kalima and Bosco Kayobotsi, as well as companies like Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd and Bugambira Mines Ltd. The US Treasury emphasized that the M23 is exploiting the DRC's mineral wealth to fund armed conflict, which has led to a serious humanitarian crisis, and highlighted the need to curb illicit mineral flows to foster legitimate business opportunities. Rwandan officials have rejected the allegations as biased, with reports from the UN and Global Witness indicating that a small number of companies control the export of conflict minerals from the DRC to international markets.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an "unequivocal" apology for comments he made about popstar Kylie Minogue during a podcast interview, where he was asked to categorize her alongside Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore. His initial reluctance was followed by an inappropriate remark, leading to backlash from MPs who deemed his comments "disrespectful to women" and degrading to the office of Prime Minister. In response to the criticism, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasized the government's commitment to gender equality, noting it is the first in history to have equal representation of men and women in cabinet.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding reportedly had about 1,000 guests, featuring many major celebrities from various fields, but details and photos from the event remain largely under wraps. Guests like Jessica Alba and Greg James confirmed their attendance through social media, with Alba sharing her outfit and a heartfelt message. Other attendees posted cryptic hints, outfit photos, and reflections on the event, with expressions of joy about the celebration and details like the stunning experience described by Niecy Nash.