‘Most spectacular own goal in history’: new EU rules threaten to shut out UK car manufacturers 01. July 2026 (14:50) EU urged to make UK exempt from rules that risk becoming the most damaging consequence of Brexit yetThe EU’s car industry has called for the UK to be fully included in new “Made in Europe” rules that threaten to shut out British manufacturers from their biggest export market.The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (Acea) on Wednesday urged Brussels to give the UK, Turkey and Morocco “justified, targeted exemptions” to the rules, which will require cars and parts to be made within the EU to qualify for subsidies or public procurement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sudan’s RSF committed crimes against humanity in El Fasher, Amnesty says 01. July 2026 (14:45) Report accuses paramilitary force of crimes including ethnic cleansing in systemic campaign against civiliansThe Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during its campaign to capture El Fasher, Amnesty International has alleged.Many of the crimes, including murder, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, were carried out as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians and amounted to crimes against humanity, the human rights organisation said in a report released on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as Starmer says black hole will be addressed – UK politics live 01. July 2026 (14:42) Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ‘poisoned chalice’ plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ‘furious’ over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian’s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a “true patriot” who will provide the money needed to maintain Britain’s security when he becomes prime minister, the new defence secretary, Dan Jarvis, said on a visit to a factory in Cambridge today.I’ve known Andy Burnham for more than 15 years, he is a true patriot, and I absolutely believe that he will make sure that we have the resources that we need to field the kind of capabilities that are required given the nature of the world that we’re operating in.I know what we need to do to keep Britain safe, and I’m absolutely confident that Andy Burnham, as the next prime minister, knows that as well, and we’ll make sure in the context of the next spending review that we’ve got the resources we need to keep the country safe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White House rejects conflict-of-interest concerns as Trump’s crypto earnings soar – US politics live 01. July 2026 (14:41) White House says president has ‘proudly made the US the crypto capital of the world’Sign up for US breaking news alerts emailHouse speaker Mike Johnson has sent members home for the 4th July recess early, after failing to unfreeze floor business amid a rebellion from several members of his own party. The group of GOP lawmakers have blocked debate on the annual Pentagon spending bill, in protest of ensuring that Donald Trump’s sweeping voter ID legislation is passed.Johnson tried to appease members by merging Trump’s prized bill – which requires proof of citizenship while registering to vote – with the National Defense Authorization act (NDAA) upon passage of the latter. This would effectively send both bills together to the Senate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Salzburg bans tourists from driving into historic centre over summer 01. July 2026 (14:26) Day trippers face fines for entering Austrian city’s old town during July and August to curb ‘chaotic traffic situations’Salzburg has begun enforcing a summer ban on visitors driving into its historic centre, picking up a policy modelled by other car-choked European cities plagued by overtourism.Authorities in Austria’s fourth largest municipal area said they hoped the “less traffic, more city” restrictions in July and August would reduce the number of vehicle entries by 1,000 a day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer forced on back foot at PMQs over ‘weak’ defence plan 01. July 2026 (14:19) Prime minister says he will take no lectures from Tories after Kemi Badenoch says investment plan is insufficientUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer was forced on the defensive in the Commons over his long-delayed defence investment plan announced this week, which critics argue leaves his successor as prime minister, expected to be Andy Burnham, with an extra £4.7bn to find in his first budget.Starmer defended his £298bn defence investment plan (Dip) at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday despite a growing backlash from insiders in Burnham’s team and from ministers and MPs resentful over cuts to key transport infrastructure projects to fund it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
E Jean Carroll asks judge to order Donald Trump to pay $5m he owes her 01. July 2026 (14:15) Move follows supreme court refusal to hear Trump’s appeal of civil case verdict in sexual abuse and defamation caseThe New York journalist E Jean Carroll asked a judge on Tuesday to mandate that Donald Trump pay her the $5m she is owed from a jury verdict that found the US president liable for sexually abusing her in the 1990s and defaming her after she publicly described in 2019 being attacked by him in a city department store.Lawyers for Carroll filed papers in a federal court in Manhattan one day after the US supreme court refused to hear Trump’s appeal of the civil case verdict in 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two people onboard small plane die after it crashes in field in Essex 01. July 2026 (14:15) Two-seat Cessna aircraft was carrying out short flight experience when it crashed in Ongar on Tuesday, police sayTwo people have died after a light aircraft on a “short flight experience” crashed in a field near Ongar in Essex, police have said.The two-seat Cessna plane crashed in a field off Mill Lane, Ongar, on Tuesday after taking off from North Weald airfield about seven miles west, Essex police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alarm bells over conflict of interest as filing shows Trump raked in $2bn in 2025 | First Thing 01. July 2026 (14:12) President made more than $1bn from crypto businesses last year while federal government oversaw regulation. Plus, giant seal causes havoc in Tasmania – but locals love himDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump has raked in more than $1bn from his crypto businesses since returning to the White House, according to financial disclosures, making him substantially richer and ringing alarm bells over a conflict of interest.Where else is Trump getting money from? The US president made millions last year from selling Trump-branded bibles, sneakers and other small items in another unprecedented move for the presidency. In the Trump-branded watches category alone, the president earned $4.7m. Trump also racked up tens of millions from fees and licensing deals in a flurry of new hotel, resort and condo deals overseas. Many of those countries were at the same time negotiating with the US over tariffs, military aid and other important matters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Duke of York’s theatre to be renamed after Tom Stoppard 01. July 2026 (14:11) New name recognises the playwright’s huge impact on British theatre with producer Sonia Friedman saying he would be ‘tickled pink’The Duke of York’s theatre in the West End is to become the Tom Stoppard theatre in honour of the playwright who died in November.The theatre is currently presenting Carrie Cracknell’s revival of Stoppard’s 1993 masterpiece Arcadia and the same play was produced there in 2009. The playwright’s wife, Sabrina Stoppard, said: “Tom was in his element whenever he had a play on in the West End, so I am thrilled to bits that this theatre will be named after him. It means that his memory will live on, not just through his plays, but also through this building.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
