Nations

Catholic Schools NSW’s alleged donations to Liberal party show the need to ensure public money is spent for approved purposes, expert saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn education funding expert says alleged donations by Catholic Schools NSW to the Liberal party, under investigation by the state corruption watchdog, show governments need to check taxpayer funding was “being spent according to its purposes” and not funnelled into political donations.The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating allegations that political donations were made by Catholic Schools NSW “in amounts that were not declared and exceeded applicable donation caps”. Continue reading...

One Nation MP refines party’s view on national identity as he accepts award for ‘political courage’ at anti-abortion gala organised by Joanna HoweFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Barnaby Joyce has claimed First Nations people would agree with him that Australia is a “Christian nation”.The New England MP made the comments at an anti-abortion gala – where he accepted a prize for “political courage” – in Sydney over the weekend. Continue reading...

• Gulf nations are intensifying competition for influence in the Horn of Africa through strategic military agreements and significant port investments. • The geopolitical struggle centers on competing alliances and differing diplomatic positions regarding Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan. • According to analyst Aly Tarek Metwally, the region's location at the intersection of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean makes it critical for international trade and maritime security.

Exclusive: Party’s average registered donation was £137, 496 last year, almost six times that of Labour or ToriesReform UK would have held just 15% of the donations it received last year if a proposed £100,000 cap on political donations had been in force, according to analysis shared with the Guardian.The analysis by Friends of the Earth using Electoral Commission data highlights the party’s reliance on a handful of wealthy backers in advance of a showdown over political funding. Continue reading...

• The United States launched military strikes following an Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's subsequent declaration that the waterway is closed. • Gulf nations have actively intercepted attacks as tensions escalate in the region, prompting urgent diplomatic discussions to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation. • This escalation threatens one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, risking global economic instability and further military conflict.

George Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, at centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donationsPolice are investigating donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK by the mother of a convicted fraudster and ally of Nigel Farage.The investigation concerns two donations of £250,000 made by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George has often accompanied Farage to Reform events and media appearances. The May 2024 donations are under investigation over whether they were intended to conceal a donation by an impermissible donor. Continue reading...

• The European Parliament voted 414-224 to initiate a verification procedure against the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) party over alleged violations of EU values. • Founded in August 2024 by eight parties including Germany's AfD, Poland's Confederation, and France's Reconquete, the ESN recently added Italy's National Future party. • The procedure is significant because a finding of non-compliance could result in the ESN losing its official EU party status and critical funding.

• The series ‘Heated Rivalry’ did not receive any Emmy nominations, though the publication clarifies that the show was not "snubbed." • Despite the lack of Emmy nods, the production has earned prestigious honors from the Peabody Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and Canadian Screen Awards. • The show's success is further evidenced by its ability to turn its lead cast members into "overnight A-listers."

• The Television Academy will announce the full list of nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Wednesday, July 8. • The reveal is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT and will be hosted by Jeff Hiller and Liza Colón-Zayas. • The event will be broadcast via a live stream on Emmys.com, providing the first official look at the year's top television contenders.

• Mariska Hargitay has been announced as the host for the 78th Emmy Awards. • The ceremony will take place in Los Angeles in September 2026. • The event coincides with a major milestone as NBC celebrates 100 years as a network.

• The full list of nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards has been released, covering categories across drama, comedy, limited series, and acting. • Notable technical nominations include the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show starring Bad Bunny on NBC and the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on CBS. • Key individuals recognized for production design and art direction include Julio Himede, Bruce Rodgers, and Kristen Merlino, among others.

With strong showings for newcomers Pluribus and Widow’s Bay, nominations for the 78th Emmys, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, are out ahead of the 14 September showEmmy nominations 2026: The Pitt and Hacks lead in an impressive year for HBOMariska Hargitay to host 78th Emmy awardsThe 2026 Emmy award nominations have been announced. Here is the list of the key categories. Continue reading...

HBO and Apple shows head up this year’s nominations while Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer follow-up Half-Man only receives one nodThe second season of hit hospital drama The Pitt and the final season of Hacks dominate this year’s Emmy nominations, announced on Wednesday.The Pitt leads with 25 nominations while Hacks has 24, both scoring a big win for HBO, the latter series also breaking an Emmy record for most nods ever received by a comedy in a single year. Continue reading...

• The European Union has delayed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until 2027. • This postponement affects several Schengen nations, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Portugal, following technical failures with the Entry/Exit System (EES). • The decision stems from biometric system chaos and slow implementation that have already caused significant disruptions for millions of international visitors at airports and land crossings.

• Rotten Tomatoes has released its predictions for the nominations of the 78th Emmy Awards, scheduled for 2026. • A key highlight of the predictions is the potential for Youn Yuh-jung to earn a nomination for her role in the series *Beef*. • These forecasts aim to anticipate the industry's top performers and standout productions ahead of the official announcement.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik during a speech at Indonesia's Parliament on Tuesday. • Modi highlighted Patnaik's daring 1947 mission as a pilot, during which he helped rescue top Indonesian leaders fighting against Dutch colonial rule. • The gesture emphasizes the historical ties between India and Indonesia, with Modi stating that Patnaik's actions brought the two nations closer.

• The UN has launched its first all-nations AI governance forum in Geneva, coinciding with warnings from a science panel that AI safety cannot be guaranteed and autonomous weapons have been deployed. • Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted a stark investment gap, noting that private AI infrastructure spending reached nearly $500 billion last year while public support for developing nations remained negligible. • To bridge this divide, over 20 member states have nominated national centers to a UN-supported Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.

• The Television Academy is preparing for the 2026 Emmy nominations, with the announcement set to air live on NBC and stream via Peacock. • A significant update to the ceremony includes the introduction of the Legacy Award, the first new major prize in nearly 20 years. • This new award will honor television programs that have maintained relevance and made a profound, lasting impact on society, culture, and the industry.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the legacy of Biju Patnaik for his pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic ties between India and Indonesia. • In 1947, during the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch colonial rule, Patnaik performed a daring mission to safely transport Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India. • This historic act of bravery is highlighted as a foundational moment that brought the two nations closer through shared struggles against colonialism.

• The Esports Nations Cup 2026: Southeast Asia and Oceania Qualifier was held as an online Dota 2 tournament from June 30 to July 1, 2026. • This Tier 1 event featured a competitive field of five teams vying for a spot in the main competition. • The qualifier serves as a critical regional gateway to determine which representatives from Southeast Asia and Oceania will compete on the international stage.

• Multiple head coaches across Asia, including South Korea's Hong Myung-bo, have resigned following underwhelming performances and early eliminations from the World Cup. • The wave of resignations, stretching from Seoul to Riyadh, reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the continent's collective failure to advance in the tournament. • This mass exodus of leadership highlights the immense pressure on Asian national teams to improve their global standing and meet rising fan expectations.

Measures to be announced to make funding more transparent amid new revelations about Reform UK leaderMinisters will launch a crackdown on large political donations on Monday, as Nigel Farage faces a possible second investigation into gifts he received from a convicted fraudster before becoming an MP.The government will announce a series of measures to make political funding more transparent, including restrictions on donations from foreign-based benefactors. Continue reading...

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format, including four additional groups in the opening phase and a new Round of 32 knockout stage. • Under these new regulations, the tournament champion will be required to play a total of eight games to secure the title. • This expansion significantly alters the competition structure for North American hosts and participating nations, increasing the physical demand on players.

• The International Cooperative Alliance has announced the 2026 theme for the International Day of Cooperatives as “Cooperatives for a peaceful world.” • The initiative aims to highlight how cooperative enterprises can advance global solidarity, social justice, and inclusion. • This effort aligns with the United Nations' foundational 1945 mission to solve international economic, social, and humanitarian problems while promoting fundamental human rights.

Port expansion and protections for whales part of BC and Alberta plan to expand country’s presence overseasThe governments of Canada and the province of Alberta will move forward on a major new oil pipeline after the pair announced a plan to ease concerns of British Columbia and First Nations on the Pacific coast.Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, shuttled between British Columbia and Alberta on Thursday to announce more than C$150bn in new investments in both provinces, part of a broader project of reducing trade with the United States and expanding his country’s presence in overseas markets. Continue reading...

• Chinese travelers are shifting from luxury long-haul holidays to shorter regional getaways across Asia this summer. • Seoul is the top destination with an expected 14% year-over-year increase to 2.15 million arrivals from June through August, followed closely by Hong Kong at 1.94 million. • South-East Asian hubs are seeing significant growth, with Kuala Lumpur arrivals soaring 16% and Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City entering the top 10.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format, introducing four additional groups in the opening phase and a new Round of 32 knockout stage. • Under these new regulations, the tournament champion will be required to play a total of eight games to secure the title. • This expansion significantly alters the path to victory for competing nations across North America and globally.

• The United Nations released a scientific assessment warning that AI capabilities are advancing faster than governments can implement necessary regulations. • The report highlights a fragmented global landscape where countries use contradictory rules and lack shared standards for evaluating AI systems or managing risks. • This lack of coordination increases compliance costs and creates regulatory gaps, emphasizing the urgent need for independent oversight and international cooperation.