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• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that all global conflicts and wars should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue rather than on the battlefield. • Speaking at the SCO Summit in Bishkek on September 1, the Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to peaceful resolutions. • Modi specifically highlighted India's ongoing dedication to providing humanitarian assistance and supporting the development of the people of Afghanistan.

The US president expected Ottawa to bow to tariff demands, but Canada is striking back – and it could cost AmericansThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayEarlier this year a survey found that Canada, along with Switzerland, was the best-liked country in the world. We all know this kind of polling is about as scientific as a high school popularity contest, but at least anecdotally, Canadians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, respectful and polite. Many people would find it difficult to dislike Canadians.But not Donald Trump, who in a “hold my beer” moment this week demonstrated that he, at least, finds it easy to resent Canadians. The US president called the country “difficult and unreasonable”, and in a particularly hysterical moment, threatened to rename a lake, after trade talks collapsed. Continue reading...

Exclusive: analysis risks deepening perception of ‘unequal protection under the law’ Killers who take the lives of black people have a greater chance of getting away with their crimes than those who target white people, new research shows.Analysis of unsolved homicides in London between 2019 and 2023 found non-white British people made up 61% of victims. When researchers assessed unsolved murders, 92.9% of cases in the capital were connected with a victim who was non-white. Continue reading...

The DoJ sued TikTok and its former parent company in August 2024 for allegedly failing to protect children’s privacy and collecting their information⁠TikTok and its Chinese former parent company ByteDance on Friday agreed to a $400m settlement to resolve the US Department of Justice’s allegations that the short-form video app ⁠violated children’s online ⁠privacy.The justice ​department sued TikTok and ByteDance in 2024 for allegedly failing to protect children’s privacy and illegally collecting their information. The defendants were accused ⁠of violating a law requiring online services aimed at children to obtain parental consent to collect personal information from users under age 13. Continue reading...

• Astronomers have discovered the farthest "black hole star" ever recorded, providing a potential explanation for the "little red dots" observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). • These red dots are mysterious, compact objects found in the early universe shortly after the Big Bang that have puzzled researchers. • The discovery suggests that these dots are actually dense stars with black holes at their cores, indicating that spectacular gravitational processes occurred in the early cosmos.

• South Africa has been confirmed as the host country for the 2025 G20 Summit. • This event marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time the summit is held on the African continent. • The selection highlights the G20's growing recognition of Africa's critical role in global geopolitics and the international economy.

• British AI companies raised a record-breaking $12.6 billion in the first half of 2026, capturing approximately three-quarters of all UK venture funding. • Despite the massive influx of capital, the sector continues to struggle with a significant "margin problem," where high operational costs offset revenue. • This trend highlights a growing disparity between the immense investor enthusiasm for AI platforms and the actual profitability of the underlying business models.

Fate of historic bicycle name in hands of administrators after Netherlands-based Accell Group fails to find buyerThe bicycle company that owns the historic Raleigh brand has started insolvency proceedings after failing to find a buyer.The Netherlands-based Accell Group said on Wednesday it had called in administrators after it failed to find a viable solution to continue its operations in their current form. Continue reading...

• Scientists have identified the cause of Earth's greatest mass extinction, explaining why modern beaches are dominated by clams and snails rather than brachiopods. • The study reveals that warming oceans and plummeting oxygen levels eliminated species unable to adapt their body plans and metabolisms to the harsh conditions. • This discovery is significant as it demonstrates how specific biological traits determine survival during global environmental crises.

Economists warn continued conflict could push oil prices beyond US$100 a barrel, increasing chance of further RBA rate hikeResurgent oil and fuel prices could cement a fourth interest rate rise this year if Donald Trump’s renewed conflict with Iran is not resolved within a week, economists warn.US missile strikes on Iran and Trump’s announcement overnight of a new maritime blockade has lifted oil prices to their highest point in the month since the two countries agreed to a peace deal. Continue reading...

Kathleen Williams sanctions president’s lawyers and says $10bn suit against IRS was brought for ‘improper purpose’A federal judge on Monday nullified an agreement the government reached with Donald Trump and his sons over the leak of his tax returns. The judge lambasted the government and president’s lawyers for using the judicial process to try to concoct a beneficial arrangement for the president.The ruling from US district judge Kathleen Williams in the southern district of Florida blocks a widely criticized arrangement the government and the president’s attorneys reached earlier this year to resolve a $10bn lawsuit by Trump and his sons over the leak of the president’s tax returns. The government never responded to the lawsuit and then announced it was settling the suit by creating a $1.8bn slush fund to compensate victims of “government weaponization” and giving the president, his family, and related entities immunity from tax audits. Continue reading...

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that global conflicts can only be resolved through diplomatic engagement and constructive negotiations rather than aggression. • The statement comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran. • Modi's call for diplomacy emphasizes India's stance on maintaining international peace and stability during periods of dangerous escalation.

• Reddit has developed new internal tools powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) to combat the increasing volume of spam on its platform. • The initiative is a direct response to the rise of AI-generated spam, which is often created using the same LLM technology the company is now employing for detection. • This "fight fire with fire" strategy highlights the growing necessity for social platforms to use advanced AI to maintain content quality against automated bots.

• The July 4, 2026, science roundup highlights three major discoveries: the James Webb Space Telescope's identification of a previously unknown substance, the rapid growth of China's "Great Green Wall," and the resolution of a Medici family murder mystery. • The report emphasizes the telescope's role in expanding astronomical knowledge and the environmental impact of China's accelerated reforestation efforts. • These findings matter as they bridge the gap between cutting-edge astrophysics, global climate mitigation, and historical forensic analysis.

Police say there are similarities but no evidence of links between Thunchanok Donhomla’s alleged murder and two other deaths in past two years in same regionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThai police are investigating whether an Australian man charged with murdering a 17-year-old girl could be linked to two unsolved cases in the region.Police colonel Anek Srathongyoo, a superintendent of Pattaya City police station, told the Guardian on Tuesday that although there was no evidence linking Simon Peter Carman to the cases in neighbouring regions, they were investigating the possibility given similarities between the cases. Continue reading...

• The United States and Iran are attempting to negotiate a permanent end to the ongoing conflict, with less than 60 days remaining to reach an agreement. • Both nations remain deadlocked over an interim deal, with significant disagreements regarding key sticking points and the status of fighting in Lebanon. • The lack of consensus highlights the volatility of the region and the difficulty of establishing a stable ceasefire between the two adversarial powers.

• The UK economy experienced a GDP contraction on June 15, 2026, amid rising tax pressures and a steady stream of insolvency notices. • Long-term inflation expectations climbed to a median of 3.9%, marking the highest level since 2009. • JPMorgan economist Allan Monks noted that building price and wage pressures are critical as they influence corporate pricing and Bank of England interest rate decisions.

• 14-year-old Harper Beckham attempted to visit her brother Brooklyn's home in the US to resolve an ongoing family feud. • The visit occurred while Harper, Victoria, Romeo, and Cruz were in town to celebrate Sir David Beckham receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. • This gesture highlights a personal effort by Harper to mend strained relationships within the family during a high-profile public event.

• On 12 June 2026, the UK economy reported a contraction in GDP alongside rising insolvency notices and increased pressure on the AIM market. • Market instability was further exacerbated by energy volatility and the European Central Bank's decision to raise interest rates. • Globally, the Asian Development Bank revealed that 15 countries have requested emergency loans to combat severe fuel shortages.

• UK small businesses are facing significant financial pressure due to rising fuel, tax, and energy costs amid weakening markets. • Economic indicators show a decline in hiring and slowing mortgage demand, while the risk of corporate insolvencies remains a primary concern. • In currency markets, the euro is being supported by expectations that the European Central Bank will implement a 25 basis point rate hike this Thursday.

• UK business news for 9 June 2026 highlights a volatile economic landscape for SMEs, driven by tax pressures, fluctuating retail sales, and rising insolvency notices. • Market instability is being fueled by geopolitical risks affecting energy prices and central bank expectations influencing borrowing costs. • The ongoing AI investment boom is causing significant volatility in technology-related shares, while businesses continue to grapple with the long-term costs of Brexit.

• On June 8, 2026, the UK business landscape faced significant instability characterized by weak hiring, a contraction in the services sector, and rising energy costs. • Businesses are currently grappling with intensified tax pressures and critical warnings regarding mounting debt levels. • These economic headwinds have triggered a market sell-off and an increase in official UK insolvency notices.

• EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos announced during a visit to Kyiv on Monday that Poland's objections regarding Ukraine's EU accession talks have been resolved. • The obstacles raised by Poland, France, and other member states were identified as domestic political issues rather than failures to meet official EU membership criteria. • This resolution removes a significant diplomatic hurdle, clearing the path for a critical step forward in negotiations scheduled for later this month.

State election officials continue to work through the uncounted primary ballots, a process that could take days or weeksHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.The race to become California’s next governor in the Senate remains up in the air, with voters potentially waiting weeks until the results are known.A leftwing US political commentator has described the UK government’s decision to ban him from entering the country as “haunting and hilarious” and “Kafkaesque”. Cenk Uygur, the founder and a host on Young Turks, a well-established progressive media outlet, was banned earlier this week from entering the UK to attend a speaking engagement alongside Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who has become a popular figure on the US political left.The US House of Representatives delivered a stunning rebuke to Donald Trump over his war on Iran on Wednesday, as representatives backed a move to force him to seek approval from Congress or withdraw US forces.Before signing an executive order related to customs in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump took seven minutes to reassure an anxious public, beset by worries about a protracted war with Iran, surging gasoline prices and rising inflation, that progress has been made on at least one front: the resurfacing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is nearly complete.The president also took time to once again attack the CNN host Kaitlan Collins for not smiling in his presence and blamed her network for the suicides of four January 6 defendants.The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, refused to say whether Trump, his family and his businesses would still get immunity from IRS audits after the administration yesterday abandoned plans for a $1.8bn fund that would have benefited the president’s allies.Bessent did confirm that he threatened to beat up a fellow administration member, Bill Pulte, last summer. Continue reading...

• The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is considering imposing additional tariffs of 12.5% on India and 53 other nations as part of a Section 301 investigation. • In response to these potential duties, India is seeking to resolve the dispute through strategic trade negotiations and agreements. • This move comes amid broader economic tensions and the potential for increased protectionism under a possible second Trump administration.

Democrats seek to oust Republicans in New Jersey and Iowa, while other major races remain up in the airHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.California’s crowded primary for governor remains up in the air after three leading candidates tested voters’ appetites for an experienced politician or promises of sweeping change.Karen Bass came out ahead in Tuesday’s heated primary for Los Angeles mayor, but with less than 50% of the vote will have to defend her seat in November’s general election. She’ll likely run against either Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, or city council member Nithya Raman.Iowa state representative Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination for the state’s open US Senate seat – setting him up to face off against Ashley Hinson in the November general election. A former television anchor turned state senator, Hinson was endorsed by Donald Trump and retiring senator Joni Ernst.Adam Hamawy won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district, teeing the army doctor and political newcomer up to face off against Republican Gregg Mele in November’s general election. Hamawy decided to run for office after returning from a medical mission in Gaza in 2024 and meeting congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who announced her retirement in November 2025.Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico. If elected in the November general election, Haaland would become the first Native American woman governor elected in the country.Christina Bohannan won the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s 1st congressional district. She will compete against incumbent Republican congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the November general electionZach Lahn narrowly won the Republican nomination for governor, and will face off against Democrat Rob Sand in Iowa’s general election this November. Five Republicans competed for the nomination to replace retiring Republican governor Kim Reynolds.Former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Benett won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, and will challenge Republican congressman Tom Kean Jr. in the general election. Kean, who’s been absent from Congress, citing a health issue, since March shared a statement on social media saying he’s “more energized than ever” and will “be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition” when he returns to work in “a matter of weeks”. Continue reading...

Premier Group Recruitment went into administration with debts of £2.9m – including £647,000 owed to HMRCA recruitment executive – who was allowed to buy back the assets of his bust company in instalments despite it accumulating almost £3m of debt – has fallen behind on promised payments after pledging to send staff on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas.The development is the latest case to raise questions about the practice of “phoenixism”, accounting’s controversial art of liquidating companies to allow directors to rise from the ashes with a new entity, free of debts. Continue reading...

• OpenAI’s reasoning model reportedly autonomously disproved a longstanding geometry conjecture on May 21, 2026, in a development highlighted in a May 2026 AI news roundup. • The result is notable because it suggests current frontier models can contribute to formal mathematical discovery, not just text generation or code assistance. • The same roundup places the breakthrough alongside other major model updates, underscoring how quickly the AI research frontier is moving.