Couple who staged apparent proposal atop Empire State Building faces slew of charges 02. July 2026 (17:04) ‘Rooftopers’ Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested after allegedly scaling the New York skyscraperTwo Russian “rooftoppers” who staged an apparent marriage proposal at the peak of the Empire State Building’s spire were reportedly arraigned in New York on Thursday on a slew of charges including reckless endangerment.Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov were arrested on Wednesday after the stunt, which featured the pair, dressed in all black, unfurling a peace banner and kissing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AFP assessing allegation of Gaza war crimes committed by Australian citizen serving in IDF 02. July 2026 (17:00) Claims against Israel Defense Forces battalion include deliberate targeting and destruction of residential buildings in 2023 and 2024 without military justificationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian federal police investigators are assessing a brief detailing alleged war crimes committed by an Australian citizen serving in the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.A 61-page brief has been handed to the AFP by the Australian Centre for International Justice detailing alleged war crimes committed by an IDF battalion in Gaza across 2023 and 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians have more negative view of Israel than of China, Guardian Essential poll finds 02. July 2026 (17:00) Poll also finds perception of Donald Trump has soured since his re-election, with fewer than a third of respondents viewing him positivelyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians have a more negative view of Israel than of China, the latest Guardian Essential poll has found, with women and middle-aged people exhibiting the least positive perception of Israel.The poll also finds Australians’ perceptions of Donald Trump have tumbled since his re-election, with fewer than a third of voters having a positive response to the US president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s median wealth falls almost 7% since 2020 despite the rich getting richer, report says 02. July 2026 (17:00) Swiss bank UBS finds ‘growing divide between the wealthiest and the broader population’ as country adds more than 25,000 more millionairesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMiddle Australia’s wealth is going backwards while the richest claim an ever-greater share of the pile, according to new research that shows more than 25,000 people across the country became millionaires last year.The latest global wealth report from the Swiss bank UBS said 2025 marked “an extraordinary year”, in which close to a million new millionaires were created worldwide – a record increase in a single year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minister and maritime boss accused of misleading MPs over plan to stop coastguard officers’ pay 02. July 2026 (16:56) Keir Mather and Virginia McVea’s claims follow decision by Maritime and Coastguard Agency to reject worker status of coastguard rescue officersA government minister and a senior official have been accused of misleading MPs over their plans to strip coastguard officers of their hourly pay.Keir Mather, the maritime minister, was said to have made false claims on Wednesday, while Virginia McVea, the chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), was accused of having done so during a meeting with MPs a week earlier. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
