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• On July 28, 2026, a Chinese laboratory released the largest open-weight AI model to date, signaling a major shift in the global AI landscape. • Microsoft deployed specialized cyber agents to counter AI-powered security threats, while Nvidia invested billions into a secretive superintelligence lab. • Major hyperscalers have secured multi-billion-dollar agreements for data centers and fiber infrastructure to support expanding computational needs.

Veteran medical adviser likely to face questions over disputed ‘lab leak’ theory in investigation seen by scientists as ‘vilification and harassment’ of 85-year-oldSign up for US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Senators are expected to question Anthony Fauci, the former veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Niaid), about whether the Covid-19 virus began as a “lab leak” in a high-profile hearing later today. Continue reading...

Political leaders honor the longtime Republican senator, whose hawkish foreign policy shaped decades in WashingtonUS politics live – latest updatesWorld leaders and senior political figures convened in Washington for the memorial of long-serving US senator Lindsey Graham, remembering the “swashbuckling” South Carolina Republican “a true American original” whose embrace of “America First” never softened his advocacy for a staunch interventionist US foreign policy.Prominent Republicans paid tribute to Graham, a polarizing figure and onetime rival turned stalwart ally of Donald Trump who championed the US-Israel war on Iran. He was a prominent voice in the anti-abortion movement and a unwavering supporter of Israel, serving as one of Capitol Hill’s most outspoken foreign policy hawks. Continue reading...

Chief executive, Frank Calabria, apologises and advises customers to look out for suspicious activity amid heightened scam risk Origin Energy has admitted it was warned of the hack that accessed 900,000 current and former customers’ personal data three weeks before it first made the data breach public.Australia’s largest energy retailer said a “significant” proportion of the 900,000 had been former customers, with those affected to be notified in the coming days. Continue reading...

Hackers access Australian customers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and some bank account details, company saysOrigin Energy customers’ addresses, phone numbers and partial bank account data have been accessed in a hack, the company has confirmed.The company has 4.8m customer accounts in Australia, providing electricity, natural gas, LPG, and internet services to homes and businesses. Continue reading...

Holistic approach to care which preserves children’s identities part of Minns government reforms to broader child protection systemFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Aboriginal family preservation program aimed at giving at-risk children space to “tell their own stories” has been launched across New South Wales after a historic investment from the state government.The program, co-designed by First Nations families, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and the NSW government, aims to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care through a holistic approach to child and family protection. Continue reading...

• Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are investigating the origin of "little red dots," mysterious objects appearing frequently in surveys of the early universe. • Researchers discovered that these red dots are often paired with "little blue companions," providing a new clue to their nature. • This discovery is significant as it may help scientists determine whether these objects are small, dense galaxies or supermassive black holes from the dawn of time.

Fracking billionaire Harold Hamm is co-chair of a non-profit that has aggressively pushed for US energy dominanceTycoon Harold Hamm is one of the US’s most successful oilmen, the son of Oklahoma sharecroppers who hit it rich as a “wildcatter” and pioneered fracking techniques that drove the shale boom in 2008 that reversed declining US oil production. Donald Trump describes him as a “long time” friend and is said to have called him his “original oil guy” behind closed doors.The Continental Resources founder has also faced scrutiny from climate advocates and groups and some Democratic lawmakers over his influence on Trump and role in pushing him to go all in on planet-heating fossil fuels and gut climate rules. Continue reading...

• Astronomers have detected glycolaldehyde, a type of sugar commonly found in raspberries, within interstellar space. • The discovery proves that complex organic molecules, such as sugars, can form naturally in the harsh environment of space without the need for a planetary surface. • This finding is significant because it suggests that the chemical building blocks necessary for life may be widespread throughout the universe.

• Astronomers have detected erythrulose, a natural sugar typically found in raspberries, within interstellar clouds of dust and gas near the center of the Milky Way. • This marks the first time this specific sugar has been identified in interstellar space, providing new evidence of complex organic molecules existing outside our solar system. • The discovery is significant because these sugars are considered key building blocks for the origins of life, suggesting the chemical precursors for life are widespread in the universe.

• Justice Brett Kavanaugh issued a separate concurring opinion during the Supreme Court's latest term, challenging the rigid application of originalist doctrine. • Kavanaugh argued that the constitutional definition of birthright citizenship is not "set in stone," suggesting that Congress could potentially create exceptions based on developments occurring after 1868. • This stance is significant as it indicates a potential fracture among the court's conservative originalists, who typically advocate for a fixed interpretation of the Constitution.

Organisation says objects consistent with ‘debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere’ The Australian Space Agency has said the six so-called “space balls” found in north Queensland were likely from a “foreign rocket body” that had recently re-entered the atmosphere after being in orbit.The six mysterious objects were found by the public washed ashore in the Forrest Beach area, north of Townsville, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and were suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. Continue reading...

Tesla said Michael Butler disabled his car’s self-driving mode before it plowed into Martha Avila’s home in JuneA man whose Tesla Model 3 was allegedly in self-driving mode when it crashed into a home near Houston and killed a 76-year-old woman inside recently has been jailed on a count of manslaughter.Michael Butler’s arrest in the 19 June death of Martha Avila was announced late on Wednesday in a Facebook post by the sheriff of Harris county, Texas, Ed Gonzalez. Continue reading...

If we don’t know the source, not only do humans remain at risk but wildlife can suffer needlessly via retaliationWhile virologists and public health departments were palpitating over the news of an Andes virus infectious disease outbreak on a cruise ship (13 cases, three deaths), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the Bundibugyo virus, the root of the current Ebola outbreak (currently more than 1,250 cases and at least 362 deaths), was smouldering under the radar.Bundibugyo virus is a horrifying, highly fatal pathogen. Symptom onset is sudden and includes headaches, diarrhoea, malfunctioning kidneys and liver, and, less frequently, internal and external bleeding (hence the term “haemorrhagic disease”). Grimly, contagiousness remains after death, meaning the family and loved ones of the deceased can be exposed when they wash and clothe the body in preparation for the funeral. Continue reading...

From 1 July, restaurants need to tell customers whether their fish and seafood was caught in Australia or overseasGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFrom 1 July, diners across the country will see a small but notable change on menus.The federal government has made it mandatory for hospitality venues to designate a seafood product’s country of origin: “A” for Australian, “I” for imported and “M” for mixed. Continue reading...

• Discussions regarding the reform of South Korea's National Election Commission (NEC) have intensified following a ballot-paper shortage during the June 3 local elections. • Experts highlight that Korea's independent administration model is a global benchmark for new democracies, as it ensures political neutrality and fosters administrative expertise. • The current debate focuses on the critical need to maintain the NEC's independence from the government while simultaneously strengthening oversight to prevent operational failures.

Department for Transport analysis suggests 0.05% boost will be offset by overall negative trade-off The economic boost from a Heathrow third runway could be a tiny fraction of previous estimates, government analysis shows, while the overall trade-off from the bigger airport could set the UK back by as much as £62.5bn.As ministers promised to speed up expansion of the London airport in the name of economic growth, documents prepared by the Department for Transport said the runway was expected to boost GDP by only up to 0.05% – 90% less than the 0.5% previously stated. Continue reading...

David Farley was told One Nation’s policy was to fly only the Australian flag, party leader tells conferenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s leader, Pauline Hanson, says she “had to have a conversation” with the new Farrer MP, David Farley, after he appeared to defy her policies on immigration and flying Indigenous flags.Shortly before winning Farrer in May’s byelection – the first federal lower house seat One Nation has won outright – Farley said Labor’s current immigration intake of 306,000 was “probably not” too much. Continue reading...

• A new Forbes ranking has identified 26 influential Indian-origin CEOs and entrepreneurs who are currently shaping the technology ecosystem and business landscape in Silicon Valley. • These leaders hold pivotal roles across major global corporations, including Google, Adobe, and Microsoft, as well as emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and venture capital. • The recognition underscores the significant impact and leadership of the Indian diaspora in driving American technological innovation and corporate strategy.

Exclusive: Aboriginal Australians and migrants the targets of John Drew, who claims he was once kicked out of Pauline Hanson’s party for being ‘too radical’ – but is now a branch officialWarning: This article contains racially offensive language and outdated referencesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man who has defended the Hitler Youth organisation and used offensive and racist language about Aboriginal people and migrants is working as a policy development officer for One Nation in Queensland.Guardian Australia can reveal that John Drew, who claims he was kicked out of One Nation more than 20 years ago for being “too radical”, says he has been a party branch official in Brisbane since late last year. This is despite One Nation claiming it has introduced a sophisticated new vetting tool – dubbed Operation Obsidian – that it applies to any person taking up a party role. Continue reading...

Researchers also discover that the ancient vines of Chianti, famed for its red wines, produced white fruitDNA extracted from 2,000-year-old grape seeds found in ancient wells in Tuscany has enabled scientists to map the most extensive genetic history of grapevines recovered from a single site, revealing that vineyards of the Roman era formed part of the empire’s sophisticated agricultural network that might have influenced the development of modern winemaking.The research led by scientists at the University of York also found that white grapes once dominated the site in Chianti, an area of Tuscany famous for its red Sangiovese wines. 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.

Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made a surprise appearance at a performance of Abba VoyageAbba Voyage concerts can be deafening enough. But when the real-life Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made an appearance in the hall, which was packed with hundreds of schoolchildren, even security staff present were surprised by the din.On Tuesday, at the custom-built Abba Arena in east London, the virtual concert residency launched its expanded education programme, which aims to support young people across the area getting into creative industries. Continue reading...

• SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 29. • The Starlink 10-53 mission was executed just hours after a reported explosion involving a Blue Origin vehicle. • This launch demonstrates SpaceX's operational reliability and rapid cadence in deploying Starlink satellites despite industry setbacks.

The heritage site was destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zoneGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIndigenous community members have described their shock and anger after an Aboriginal rock shelter was “damaged beyond recovery” by contractors building transmission lines for a New South Wales renewable energy zone.The heritage site was destroyed by bulldozers in March during the construction of access tracks for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone, a transmission line project located about 300km north-west of Sydney. Continue reading...

Three lunar landings are planned for this year in preparation for the construction of a $20bn moon baseSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailNasa announced on Tuesday ambitious plans for three uncrewed lunar missions this year to kickstart construction of a $20bn moon base, and said it had chosen Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, ahead of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to conduct the first.The revelation by Nasa’s administrator, Jared Isaacman, at a press conference in Washington DC marked the first detailed public explanation of how and when the moon base will be built. Continue reading...

• Yáng Shuāng-zǐ’s novel *Taiwan Travelogue*, translated by Lin King, has won the International Booker Prize, marking the first time a work originally written in Mandarin Chinese has received the honor. • The novel is described as a "double feat" for successfully blending elements of a romance with an incisive postcolonial critique. • Yáng highlighted the work's focus on the complex legacy of the Japanese empire, noting that Taiwanese perspectives on colonial history are often a conflicted mix of nostalgia and distaste.

• Non-English original content has overtaken English originals on Netflix for the first time, accounting for 52% of the platform's originals in 2025 compared to 49% in 2024. • According to Ampere Analysis, Spanish and Korean productions recorded the strongest growth, driving the shift toward a more globalized content library. • This trend highlights a strategic pivot by Netflix to prioritize international markets and diverse storytelling to sustain global subscriber growth.