Flu

Mike Collins’ son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, has shared antisemitic conspiracies and Nazi imagery onlineUS politics live – latest updatesThe Republican Senate nominee in Georgia, Mike Collins, who has been plagued by a string of controversies in his time in public office, has close ties with a white nationalist influencer – his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II – it has transpired.A trucking executive and one-time “Freedom caucus” conservative endorsed by Donald Trump, Collins has been the GOP representative for Georgia’s 10th congressional district since 2023. In that time, the anti-abortion hardliner has drawn scrutiny over his associations with far-right and extremist figures, incendiary social media activity and accusations of antisemitism, which he has denied. He has also denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election and defended January 6 rioters, who he has said deserved pardons. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Green party launches pushback against idea that next PM will have more left-leaning agenda than StarmerUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham is “too in hock to vested interests” to offer real change, Zack Polanski has said as the Greens launched a pushback against the incoming prime minister, portraying him as cautious and weak on such areas as wealth taxes, Gaza and rent controls.Under Polanski’s leadership the Green party in England and Wales has more than tripled its membership, and is closely tracking Labour in opinion polls, with much of the new support coming from former Labour voters disenchanted with Keir Starmer’s approach. Continue reading...

Minister urges public to report cases of three or more sick or dead birds in a group after brown skua seabird tests positive for H5N1 on Wellington beachThe deadly H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in New Zealand for the first time, sparking alarm that some of the country’s most beloved and vulnerable native birds could be wiped out if it spreads.A single ocean-going seabird, a brown skua, returned a confirmed positive test on Wednesday, after it was found on Petone beach in Wellington on 10 July, said Andrew Hoggard, the biosecurity minister. Continue reading...

• A study published in BMC Infectious Diseases tracking 724 US participants reveals that flu symptoms can linger for up to a month, challenging the perception of influenza as a short-lived illness. • While severe symptoms typically fade within days, the research highlights a significant period of recovery where nagging effects persist for several weeks. • These findings are critical for understanding post-viral recovery and may provide parallels for treating the 1% to 5% of adults worldwide suffering from long COVID.

• Social media influencers are increasingly accepting undisclosed payments to promote songs, creating an artificial sense of virality that can push tracks up the pop charts. • This practice mirrors historical "pay-to-play" mechanisms, such as 19th-century sheet music promotions and 20th-century record labels paying radio DJs to play specific songs. • The lack of transparency is significant because it misleads listeners into believing a song's popularity is organic rather than a paid marketing campaign.

• South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday due to cardiovascular disease and an aortic dissection. • A veteran legislator with over 30 years in Congress, Graham was recognized as a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy and a key ally to President Donald Trump. • His career spanned decades of influence in the Republican party, shaping national security strategies and legislative priorities.

• The FDA has approved the first generic version of baloxavir tablets for the treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of influenza. • The medication is indicated for patients aged 5 years or older, including those who have been exposed to an individual with the flu. • This approval is based on the generic product meeting regulatory standards for equivalence to the reference listed drug rather than new clinical efficacy data.

• Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has formally entered the race for the Democratic Party (DP) leadership, creating a competitive four-way contest. • The election is marked by significant tension between the pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Jung factions as they vie for control of the party. • This race serves as a critical test of Lee Jae-myung’s influence, as the DP seeks accountability following mixed results in the June elections.

Meta said it was working with officials to be a ‘good neighbor’ and drinking water supplies were not affectedOfficials in Wyoming said a contractor for Mark Zuckerberg’s tech company, Meta, flushed bacteria-contaminated water into public sewers during construction of a controversial new AI datacenter.The incident prompted water authorities in Cheyenne to implement strict safety regulations on how wastewater from such projects is disposed of, according to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, which first reported the incident. Continue reading...

• The State Comptroller has warned that Iran-led hostile networks are exploiting Israeli social media to sow panic and deepen internal societal divisions. • The report reveals a critical lack of government coordination, noting that no single state body is currently leading the response to these foreign influence operations. • Despite the rise of AI and evolving digital threats, the Justice Ministry has failed to update its 2019 guiding principles for handling bot activity and fake accounts.

• A Confluent report reveals that 78% of Singapore IT leaders are unable to scale AI due to a lack of real-time data infrastructure, despite 75% already piloting agentic AI solutions. • Significant technical hurdles persist, with 95% of leaders struggling with data quality and legacy system integration, while 93% cite concerns over Large Language Model (LLM) reliability. • These challenges have led 73% of agentic AI projects to stall, with 50% of those initiatives being completely abandoned, mirroring trends across the Asia Pacific region.

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning all and thanks for being with us. Graham Readfearn here.First up, we will have news in a few minutes that NSW has recorded its first confirmed case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in a giant petrel found north of Newcastle at Hawks Nest. Continue reading...

• ABC News analyzes the Supreme Court's historical role in defining who is "created equal" and who can access the unalienable rights outlined in the Declaration of Independence. • The report highlights the judicial "push and pull" regarding women's rights, specifically focusing on the right to vote, equal pay, and reproductive access. • This legal tension is exemplified by the evolution and eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade, illustrating how the Court shapes the practical application of American ideals.

Migratory giant petrel discovered near Hawks Nest north of Newcastle infected with H5. Testing under way to determine if it’s highly pathogenic H5N1 strainFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales has its first suspected case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a giant petrel that was found near Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, on the state’s coast.If CSIRO testing confirms it is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, it would mark the first detection of the deadly disease on the Australian east coast. Continue reading...

• A new report highlights India's expanding global influence, driven by a strategic combination of diplomacy, defense capabilities, and development initiatives. • India is positioning itself as a leading voice for the Global South, leveraging its economic growth and strategic partnerships to bridge the gap between developing and developed nations. • This shift matters as India seeks to play a more central role in international governance and security frameworks, enhancing its status as a stabilizing global power.

• A new report highlights India's expanding global influence, driven by its strategic focus on diplomacy, defense, and development. • India has emerged as a primary voice for developing nations by leveraging key international platforms, including the G20, BRICS, and Global South initiatives. • The report emphasizes India's unique ability to maintain simultaneous, high-level engagements with Western powers, Gulf nations, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Move comes amid growing outbreak in Texas and after two-month halt on mandatory shotsThe US military is racing to vaccinate new recruits after a two-month halt on mandatory flu shots – but it’s a temporary reprieve, as the shots will soon expire and new doses will not be available for months.Officials will need to lean on other prevention measures to contain the growing flu outbreak at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, Texas, experts say. Continue reading...

• India's external balance and monetary policy options have improved due to the RBI's targeted foreign currency liquidity programme and a significant drop in crude oil prices from their April 2026 peak. • These macroeconomic shifts are positively impacting the corporate earnings outlook, contributing to an acquisition spree by industry giants such as Reliance and L&T. • The analysis includes insights from professor Aswath Damodaran regarding corporate strategy and examines whether China's dollar bond sales in Saudi Arabia could challenge U.S. financial dominance.

• Gulf nations and Western leaders are expressing concern over Iran's continued ability to project power and influence through proxy militia groups. • Despite existing deals between the US and Iran, analysts believe Tehran will likely increase its support for these armed groups to maintain regional leverage. • In January, the US and Israel attempted to mobilize ethnic minority groups, including Arabs in the southwest and Baloch in the southeast, to destabilize Iran from within.

Analysts and western leaders believe Iran will increase support of militia groups despite deal between US and IranAs Marco Rubio ended his brief visit to the Middle East on Friday, he sought to cast in the best possible light his discussions with leaders of the Gulf states. Those leaders are deeply anxious that the deal agreed earlier this month between Iran and the US fails to address their worries about continued Iranian efforts to project power and influence throughout the region.“They’ve shared with us some very concrete concerns,” the US secretary of state admitted, and insisted that any definitive agreement will require Tehran to not only restrict its nuclear programme but also halt its support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militia in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. Continue reading...

• Influence Media has emerged as the winning bidder for Anthem’s music assets with an offer exceeding $650 million. • This successful sale follows two previous failed auction attempts by Anthem in 2017 and 2022 that did not meet the company's valuation. • The deal is significant as it includes high-profile national touchstones, most notably the catalog of the legendary rock band Rush.

• At Infosecurity Europe 2026, Cynthia Kaiser, SVP of Halcyon and former FBI cyber deputy director, warned of a significant surge in ransomware attacks driven by AI. • Kaiser highlighted that AI-enhanced ransomware tools are becoming increasingly accessible to cybercriminals via the dark web, lowering the barrier for sophisticated attacks. • This evolution matters as it allows attackers to automate and scale their operations, potentially overwhelming traditional security defenses.

• Influence Media, a company backed by BlackRock, has won a bid to acquire the music assets of Anthem Entertainment for slightly over $650 million. • The acquisition includes high-profile cultural assets, most notably the music catalog of the legendary Canadian band Rush. • The deal faces potential delays as it requires approval from Canadian Heritage, which sources describe as more bureaucratic than the European Union.

• Scholars from 10 different countries will gather in South Korea in early July for an international academic conference. • The event aims to analyze the global cultural influence of BTS and examine the group's trajectory following their mandatory military service. • This gathering highlights the academic significance of the "BTS effect" and how the group's transition back to full activity impacts global pop culture.

• EU officials in Brussels have issued new guidance to member capitals regarding the accreditation of social media influencers to cover summits. • The plan allows YouTubers, TikTokers, and Instagrammers to report on EU officials, provided they are "Europhiles" and not critical of the bloc. • This move comes as the EU faces rising euroskepticism and the potential for "Frexit," "Dexit," or "Italexit" as anti-EU parties gain political momentum.

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the state government to airlift influencer Jini Jhala, who was critically injured in an Indore PNG pipeline burst, to Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad. • The court further mandated that the state cover all medical expenses for Jhala and any other victims affected by the fire. • Vijay Nagar police have filed an FIR against contractor Rajesh Chachra and boring machine driver Sella Muthu under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and endangering public safety.

• Influence Media has won the bid to acquire the music assets of Anthem Entertainment for a reported price slightly exceeding $650 million. • The acquisition includes high-value portfolios and "cultural jewels," most notably the catalog of the legendary Canadian rock band Rush. • The deal faces potential delays as sources suggest the Canadian Heritage department may be more bureaucratic and arduous to navigate than the EU.

Move comes after Hegseth made shot optional for military in April and Texas outbreak has sickened nearly 300 peopleThe Pentagon has said that boot camps for all the military services are once again requiring the flu vaccination for all recruits after the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, made the shot optional for the military at the end of April.The development on Wednesday was confirmed by a Pentagon official to the Associated Press and came amid a growing, weeks-long, flu outbreak at the US air force’s boot camp at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, Texas. Continue reading...