Hosting

• Billie Eilish is facing criticism on X after hosting her brother Finneas O'Connell's wedding in Montecito, California. • Critics argue the event took place on "stolen land," noting that the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians claims the area as part of their ancestral territory. • The backlash follows Eilish's statement at the February Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where she asserted that "no one is illegal on stolen land."

• Eurovision Song Contest organizers announced on Wednesday that countries currently involved in armed conflicts will be barred from hosting the competition. • In addition to the hosting restrictions, the organization has increased the minimum age requirement for all competitors. • These policy changes aim to maintain the contest's neutrality and protect the well-being of younger participants.

Christopher Alan Saunders found guilty of 13 sex offences in West Australian district court on Thursday. He was acquitted of six other chargesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former high-ranking Catholic known for hosting boozy shirts-off parties has been convicted of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men.Former bishop of Broome Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was found guilty of 13 sex offences on Thursday following a jury trial in the West Australian district court. Continue reading...

• Eurovision organizers have introduced a major rule change to prevent winning countries involved in "armed conflict" from hosting the competition. • The decision follows intense backlash and pro-Palestinian protests during the 2024 event in Malmo, Sweden, and the previous contest in Basel, Switzerland. • Protesters called for Israel's expulsion due to the war in Gaza and alleged rule-breaking marketing tactics used by Israel after they finished second last year.

• Eurovision organizers have introduced a new rule barring countries currently involved in "armed conflict" from hosting the song contest. • The policy aims to ensure a "safe and welcoming environment" for all participants and staff involved in the event. • The decision follows a boycott of this year's Vienna competition by Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia.

• The U.S. State Department is hosting a meeting with international officials to discuss the threat of left-wing terrorism. • Counterterrorism experts argue that the Trump administration's specific focus on the far left fails to provide necessary context regarding the broader spectrum of political extremism. • This shift in focus is significant as it highlights a potential imbalance in how the government identifies and prioritizes domestic and international security threats.

• Vietnamese police charged seven suspects on Wednesday, July 1, for operating a massive film piracy ring that hosted approximately 26,000 illegal movies. • The operation spanned multiple locations, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and involved charges of copyright infringement and money laundering. • The crackdown was the result of routine investigations and critical intelligence shared by U.S. authorities, specifically Homeland Security Investigations and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment.