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Mayor of Manchester is coming under pressure from some to ditch net zero targets but this could be highly damaging on many levelsUK politics live – latest updatesBritain’s net zero economy is booming. The sector is worth £100bn a year to the UK, has outpaced other sectors, and supports higher-paying jobs than the average.For a union leader to suggest that the man who has overseen this impressive record – the energy secretary, Ed Miliband – would be a “noose around the neck” of job creation, as Unite’s Sharon Graham has done, might seem extraordinary. Continue reading...

• Leonardo CEO Roberto Mariani warned that Italy must maintain its current growth in defense spending to avoid becoming "EU subordinates" to France and Germany. • Mariani noted that a sudden jump from 1.5% to 3.5% of GDP in military spending would have overwhelmed Italian industries, making a gradual investment path essential. • The warning emphasizes that any three- or four-year interruption in funding would leave Italy unable to compete with the sustained investments of its European neighbors.

Daniel Cressy, 23, says path leading to completion of curative gene therapy is his ‘greatest blessing’A young south-eastern Louisiana man recently became the first person in his region to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease, clearing the way for him to continue pursuing his dream of a career as a commercial pilot, according to his medical team.Daniel Cressy’s successful completion of curative gene therapy at Manning Family Children’s hospital in New Orleans on Monday generated a measure of optimism within his state, which produces more cases of sickle cell disease per capita than any other in the US, according to the medical center. Continue reading...

• On June 22, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance issued a joint warning that frontier AI models could fundamentally transform cyber attack and defense capabilities within months. • The group emphasized that cyber risk is now a core business risk and a leadership responsibility, urging national leaders to treat the shift as an immediate priority. • To mitigate these threats, the alliance called for urgent risk assessments, the prioritization of basic cybersecurity controls, and granting security leaders full authority and resources.

• The Nasdaq fell by more than 2% as a tech-led sell-off in South Korea triggered a global market decline. • Investors are repricing expectations for a more hawkish Federal Reserve, with futures now suggesting two rate hikes this year instead of one. • Rising yields are putting downward pressure on growth stocks and raising concerns regarding the sustainability of AI infrastructure spending.

• Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing the previous record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. • Messi reached this milestone by scoring a total of 17 goals across his World Cup appearances, further cementing his status as Argentina's greatest football icon. • This achievement is significant as it places Messi above all past legends in the tournament's scoring charts, enhancing his legacy in global football.

• The Supreme Court recently upheld the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), sparking a debate over potential voter disenfranchisement. • The ruling highlights a constitutional tension between Article 324, which grants the Commission supervisory powers, and Articles 327 and 328, which reserve election rule-making for the legislative process. • This decision matters because it suggests a judicial trend toward expanding the Election Commission's authority, potentially blurring the line between administrative supervision and legislative lawmaking.

Former Greater Manchester mayor will be overwhelming favourite in ensuing contest to succeed Keir StarmerAndy Burnham is to stand to become the Labour leader and therefore prime minister, the former Greater Manchester mayor who returned to parliament last week has announced.Such a move was inevitable after Burnham overwhelmingly won a byelection in Makerfield, having stood on a platform of wanting to become an MP again so as to replace Keir Starmer. Continue reading...

Ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions on Monday morning with an autumn departure the most likely optionKeir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Monday morning, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister without a formal contest by the autumn.Cabinet ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions outside Downing Street on Monday morning, starting a process that will end with the UK installing its seventh prime minister in a decade. Continue reading...

Makerfield victory gives Burnham a path back to Westminster and a chance to challenge Starmer for PMCelebrations and a swift exit after a Burnham win ‘beyond our wildest dreams’“We know no king but the King in the North”, declares the young Lady Lyanna Mormont in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. In the early hours of Friday morning, in a nondescript conference hall in the north of England, it appeared that the electorate agreed.About 70,000 voters in a post-industrial region of north-west England may have changed the face of British politics this week, after electing the charismatic Labour politician Andy Burnham to represent them in London. Continue reading...

From public ownership, to devolution and the cost of living, the policies of the potential Labour leadership challenger will face intense scrutinyUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield sets up a battle for Downing Street. Allies of the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor want him to be installed as prime minister as quickly and painlessly as possible, while those close to Keir Starmer want the Labour leader to fight on.If he does become prime minister, Burnham will be expected to deliver on the “change” he promised after his win on Thursday night. But what would that look like, and what policies would his government be likely to pursue? Continue reading...

After winning the Makerfield byelection, the returning Labour MP faces a number of scenarios in his bid to replace Keir Starmer• UK politics – live updates• Full report: Burnham wins by huge majorityAfter Andy Burnham’s seismic victory in Makerfield, his prospects of becoming prime minister in short order look significantly higher than they did 24 hours ago.But there are many variables in that process – from whether he faces a rival such as Wes Streeting in a leadership contest, to whether Keir Starmer is quickly ready to accept the likelihood of his political demise. Continue reading...

• Nigerian fintech companies are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to combat a surge in account takeover attacks and mounting fraud losses. • The shift occurs as traditional security systems prove insufficient against evolving threats, forcing firms to integrate AI as a primary defensive shield. • This transition marks a strategic pivot where cybersecurity is viewed as a competitive differentiator and a driver of customer trust rather than a mere compliance necessity.

• The Indian stock market is defying a global trend of "top-heavy" indices, where a few dominant firms disproportionately drive overall market performance. • India maintains a balanced structure with significant positions spread across financial services, energy, IT, telecommunications, and consumer sectors. • This diversification reduces systemic risk compared to markets in Taiwan, Denmark, and South Korea, which are heavily reliant on the fortunes of single corporate champions.

Leadership hopeful to also say tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy billsWes Streeting’s pitch to be the next Labour leader will include a plan to increase high-skilled immigration to the UK, arguing that Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US.In a speech this coming week, the former health secretary will also say that tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills. Continue reading...

Failure to clear up rotting, rat-infested site is a key issue for local people as they weigh up politicians’ promisesA mountain of rubbish sits behind a metal fence in the village of Bickershaw, where it has remained for more than 20 months. For many residents, it is a physical manifestation of the north-south divide as well as a rotting, rat-infested symbol of a broken system in which organised criminal gangs make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade.The 25,000 tonnes of household and trade rubbish is one of the largest toxic waste dumps in the country. Unlike many illegal dumps that appear in woodlands, by rivers and on farmland, this one is in the heart of a residential street, right next to a primary school. Continue reading...

Belligerent backdrop to tournament tests Fifa’s ‘football unites the world’ sloganIran will present a major challenge to Fifa’s “football unites the world” slogan on Monday by becoming the first country in World Cup history to compete on the soil of a host nation with which it is at war.The national team’s opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles will kick off amid continuing hostilities between Iran and the US that have intensified in recent days, as a fragile ceasefire has failed to hold and attempts at reaching a negotiated settlement have sputtered. Continue reading...

• South Korean defender Kim Taehyun (Kashiwa Reysol) has been sidelined due to a sudden ankle injury ahead of the national team's match against the Czech Republic. • Coach Hong Myung-bo may now start Lee Ki-hyuk (Kangwon FC), a surprise selection who had not been called up to the national team since the 2022 East Asian Cup. • Lee's inclusion is based on his standout domestic performances this season, offering a potential solution to the team's defensive crisis.

• Microsoft has reported a rise in social-engineering campaigns where cybercriminals leverage the hype surrounding popular AI brands to deceive users. • Threat actors are disguising malicious files, links, and messages as legitimate AI tool updates or access requests to compromise systems. • This trend highlights a shift in cybercrime tactics, using the widespread public interest in artificial intelligence to increase the success rate of phishing attacks.

Hilton has worn many hats since he arrived in the US 14 years ago, and now faces steep odds of defeating Democratic Xavier Becerra in NovemberAfter years of working in the background of Conservative party politics in Britain, Steve Hilton has passed the first major test as his own front man: clinching a spot in the November run-off to become California’s next governor.The outcome was far from a given under California’s open primary system, which rewards the top two vote winners regardless of party, and the particular challenge of running as a Republican in one of the most solidly blue states in the country. Continue reading...

• Kane Parsons' horror film *Backrooms* has officially become the first A24 production to surpass $200 million at the global box office. • As of June 9, 2026, the film has overtaken *Marty Supreme* in total earnings, marking a significant commercial milestone for the studio. • This achievement highlights a growing trend of indie-led horror hits achieving mainstream blockbuster success.

• Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden in New York City. • The visit involves stringent security measures, including an extensive safety perimeter that is expected to cause lengthy wait times for New York Knicks fans. • These precautions follow a pattern of disruption at previous events, such as last year's U.S. Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, where thousands of fans missed the start of the match due to double-screening.

Kristen Gonzalez, a state senator who authored the bill, said moratorium would target ‘hyperscale’ datacenters over 20MWNew York moved closer toward becoming the first US state to enact a moratorium on large datacenters this week. On Thursday, the state legislature approved a one-year ban on the facilities powering the AI boom.The measure now heads to Kathy Hochul, the governor, who will decide whether to sign it into law. The Guardian spoke to a state senator in the wake of the historic vote about authoring the bill and the wider US backlash against datacenters. Continue reading...

• South Korea has ascended to become the world's 6th-largest stock market, overtaking India, which has dropped to 7th place. • The shift is driven by an AI-led rally that pushed the Kospi and Taiwan's markets to record highs, while India's Nifty 50 experienced a decline. • This realignment highlights the global market's current prioritization of AI-centric economies over India's broader growth trajectory.

Backrooms stunned industry observers by taking $81m in its first weekend, a record for studio A24Kane Parsons has become the youngest film-maker to open a film at number one at the North American box office for his directing debut Backrooms.Parsons, 20, is seven years younger than the previous record holder, Josh Trank, who was 27 when his debut Chronicle recorded a $22m opening in 2011. Backrooms stunned industry observers by taking $81m in its first weekend in North America – which was also a record for its studio, A24. Continue reading...

• Singaporean shuttler Loh Kean Yew defeated Japan's Watanabe Koki in a semi-final thriller on Saturday, May 30, to advance to the BWF Singapore Open final. • This victory marks the first time in 24 years that a home player has reached the men's singles final of the tournament. • In the other semi-final, a French player secured a spot in the final by defeating Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in straight sets (21-14, 21-11) in 41 minutes.

German-owned discounter’s sales rise 8.8% year on year as households seek ways to keep bills downLidl has overtaken Morrisons to become the UK’s fifth largest grocer as its sales were powered ahead by households seeking to keep a lid on their weekly bills.The German-owned discounter increased its sales by 8.8% year on year – making it the fastest-growing store-based grocer – to hit a record high market share of 8.6% over the 12 weeks to 17 May, according to figures from the market analysts Worldpanel by Numerator. That compared with an 8.3% share for Morrisons in the period as the Bradford-based chain grew its sales by only 1.3% compared with a year earlier. Continue reading...

Lawmakers cite studies linking weedkiller to Parkinson’s as pressure mounts for a wider US banVermont is the first US state to ban the weedkilling pesticide paraquat, backed by lawmakers who cited concerns about research showing the chemical substantially increases the risk of the incurable brain ailment known as Parkinson’s disease.Phil Scott, the governor, signed the legislation on Tuesday. The new law takes effect 1 November, though it contains a provision allowing state regulators to issue special permits for paraquat use on fruit-producing tree orchards, berries and other “small fruit” crops up until 31 December 2030. Continue reading...