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The UK economy grew slightly by 0.1% in May, recovering from a small drop in April. This growth happened despite rising energy costs caused by the war in Iran.
Key Facts
UK GDP increased by 0.1% in May after falling 0.1% in April.
Economists had predicted a 0.1% growth for May, matching the official figures.
The war in Iran has pushed up energy prices, affecting the UK economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for UK growth in 2024 to 1%, an increase of 0.2 percentage points.
The UK economy showed more strength than some experts expected given the Middle East conflict.
Oil prices have recently risen again due to renewed violence in the Middle East.
The Resolution Foundation thinktank warns that over half of the £23.6 billion economic flexibility from the spring budget could be lost because of the war’s impact.
Andy Burnham is beginning his role as Labour leader amid these economic challenges.
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A 15-year-old British girl was stuck in Rome for six weeks because she did not have a British passport, as new Home Office rules require dual British nationals to show a British passport to enter the UK. After difficulties with government agencies, she was eventually able to return with an emergency travel document, but her case highlighted problems with how the rules were communicated and enforced.
Key Facts
New rules from the UK Home Office require dual British nationals to use a British passport or a special certificate to enter the UK.
The 15-year-old girl was denied boarding for a flight from Rome to the UK in April because she did not have a British passport.
The girl’s father, Rowan Somerville, criticized the Home Office and Foreign Office for poor communication and difficulty getting help.
The girl missed six weeks of school in the UK due to being stranded abroad.
The school and local MP intervened, leading to the girl getting an emergency travel document to return home.
Many other children and young adults with dual nationality faced similar issues under the new rules.
The girl’s father described a long, frustrating process to obtain a British passport, which normally takes three weeks.
The Home Office said it had informed the public about the rule changes via its government website.
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Australian federal police released pictures of children’s clothing to help identify victims linked to Hamish Tait, a former childcare worker charged with 329 child abuse offenses. The images were found on electronic devices seized during the investigation, which covers several Sydney childcare centers between 2018 and 2023.
Key Facts
Hamish Tait, 35, faces 329 charges related to creating and sharing child abuse material.
The offenses allegedly happened at 62 childcare centers, mainly around Sydney.
Police showed items like a dinosaur puffer jacket and patterned T-shirts to help identify victims.
Over 300 calls with information were received shortly after the images were released.
Police identified six victims so far; 16 children remain unidentified.
Tait has been in custody since July 2025 after police seized nearly 2.5 million files.
Charges include producing abuse material and filming private acts without consent.
The childcare centers involved include some run by Fit Kidz, which stated it is focused on child safety and support.
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A major Australian healthcare provider, Partnered Health, suffered a cyber-attack on June 23 that exposed sensitive patient information. This data, including medical records and personal details, could be sold on the dark web despite legal efforts to prevent its public release.
Key Facts
Partnered Health reported that 21 clinics in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra were affected by the data breach.
Stolen information includes treatment details, consultation notes, referral letters, diagnostic results, Medicare numbers, private health insurance info, names, dates of birth, and addresses.
The company obtained a temporary court order to stop the data from being used or published publicly.
Experts warned that this order likely won’t stop the stolen information from being sold on hidden internet markets known as the dark web.
Medical records are very valuable to cybercriminals, selling for up to $250 per record, much more than general personal information.
Unlike financial data, medical records cannot be changed once stolen, increasing the risk to patients.
Previous cyber-attacks in Australia include a 2022 breach of Medibank that exposed 9.7 million customers’ details.
Specialists suggest better cybersecurity training, public awareness, and research are needed to prevent such attacks.
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The United Nations reported that over 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees sank off the coast of Myanmar in late June and early July. The refugees were fleeing conflict and poor conditions, and their journeys were dangerous due to bad weather and unsafe boats often run by traffickers.
Key Facts
Two boats carrying more than 500 people likely capsized near Myanmar recently.
Most passengers were Rohingya refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Some refugees had left crowded camps in Bangladesh seeking safer lives.
One boat with about 250 people lost contact soon after leaving.
Another boat with roughly 280 people sank off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
The sea conditions were dangerous due to rainy season and flooding.
Nearly 300 people are already reported missing or dead at sea this year in the region, including Rohingya and Bangladeshis.
UN agencies urge better rescue efforts, asylum access, and action against human trafficking networks.
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The UK government has taken British Steel into public ownership to protect steelmaking jobs and maintain the country’s steel production ability. This move comes after concerns the steelworks might close, which would risk the UK's capacity to make new steel.
Key Facts
British Steel employs about 2,700 workers in Scunthorpe and supports other industries in the area.
The steelworks was owned by the Chinese company Jingye Group, which bought it in 2020.
Jingye said British Steel was losing about £700,000 a day before the government stepped in.
The UK government first took control in 2025 and now fully nationalized British Steel after Parliament passed new laws.
The law allows nationalization if it’s needed in the public interest to protect important industries.
The steelworks risked losing its blast furnaces, which are needed to make new, or "virgin," steel.
Virgin steel is used in major construction projects such as buildings and railways.
The government is considering limiting or refusing compensation to Jingye for the takeover.
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A man in Suffolk, England, named Stephen Hind, has a banana plant in his garden that has started to grow fruit, which surprised him. The bananas are unlikely to be edible due to the UK climate, but the plant’s growth is unusual for the area.
Key Facts
Stephen Hind bought a banana plant a few years ago to decorate his garden near his back door.
The plant has grown to about 12 feet tall and is now producing banana bunches.
Banana plants usually grow in warm, humid tropical countries, not in the UK.
Experts say banana plants can grow in greenhouses or warm, sheltered spots outdoors in the UK, but producing edible fruit is difficult.
The bananas in Stephen’s garden probably will not be good to eat.
When a banana plant fruits, that part of the plant dies, but new shoots come up from the base.
Climate change and recent hot weather may have helped the banana plant grow in Suffolk.
Stephen’s banana plant was bought from Henstead Exotic Garden, which sells unusual plants.
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Vickrum Digwa admitted to his brother that he stabbed Henry Nowak multiple times, shortly after killing him. Digwa had initially claimed self-defence and said he was racially attacked, but a police-recorded conversation in Punjabi revealed his confession and discussion about the stabbing weapon used.
Key Facts
Vickrum Digwa murdered Henry Nowak on 3 December 2025 in Southampton.
Within 36 hours, Digwa confessed to his brother Gurpreet while in a police van.
Digwa admitted to stabbing Nowak twice: once near the face and once on the chest.
Digwa originally told police and family he only pushed and punched Nowak in self-defence.
The murder weapon was an 8-inch dagger, which Digwa called a "kirpan," a term disputed by Sikh leaders.
Digwa carried a small religious kirpan, but used a different, larger knife to commit the stabbing.
The brothers prayed for protection after their arrests and discussed how to describe the knife in legal terms.
Sikh community leaders condemned Digwa's actions and worry about the negative impact on their faith’s image.
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Tobey Newall from Salford is a builder who balances large objects like sheds and ladders on his chin. He plans to try breaking the world record for the tallest item balanced on a chin, currently held by a 71-foot pole.
Key Facts
Tobey Newall discovered his balancing talent six years ago at a DIY store.
He balances heavy and large objects, including a 10-foot worktop weighing 101 pounds.
Newall has about 350,000 followers on social media who watch videos of his balancing acts.
The current world record is 71 feet, held by US juggler Cardon Firth since 2018.
Newall will use a special 100-foot fiberglass pole to attempt breaking this record.
His friend Travis Mooney helps with balancing and filming the stunts.
Newall has tried the record challenge three times before with no success.
The balancing acts have attracted attention from brands and content creators.
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Home piercing kits sold online are causing serious ear injuries, including scarring and deformities. Professionals warn that piercing guns and self-piercing can lead to damage that is hard or impossible to fix, and experts suggest banning these kits or adding age restrictions.
Key Facts
Home piercing kits can be bought online for as little as £1.50 without age checks.
Piercing guns use blunt jewelry and can cause rough, damaged piercing holes, unlike needles that make smooth cuts.
Injuries range from uneven earlobes to completely shattered ear parts like the helix or tragus.
Some people have required emergency care to remove piercings gone wrong.
The UK Association of Professional Piercers wants a ban on at-home piercing kits and guns.
There are no UK laws setting a minimum age for ear piercings done by professionals, but many studios set their own age limits.
In Wales, it is illegal to perform intimate piercings on anyone under 18.
Online retailers say they follow the law but do not have specific restrictions preventing sales of piercing kits in the UK.
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President Donald Trump’s nominee for the top intelligence job, Jay Clayton, did not directly say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election during his Senate hearing. Clayton acknowledged that Biden was officially declared president but avoided confirming the election result.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is nominated by President Trump to lead the U.S. intelligence community.
During his Senate confirmation, Clayton avoided saying Biden won the 2020 election.
Clayton said Biden was “certified” as president, a formal recognition process.
He also said, “I am not an election denier,” without confirming the election outcome.
The hearing focused on Clayton’s qualifications and views on the election.
This issue is part of ongoing debates about the 2020 presidential election results.
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The United States, under President Trump’s administration, will impose 25% tariffs on some Brazilian products starting July 22. The US trade office says Brazil uses unfair trade practices, while Brazil’s government denies these claims and condemns the tariffs.
Key Facts
The US will start 25% tariffs on certain Brazilian goods on July 22.
Some products like coffee, beef, oranges, some energy products, and aerospace parts are exempted.
The US trade representative concluded Brazil has unfair trade practices after a one-year investigation.
Brazil denies the accusations and says it did not engage in unfair trade.
US officials say talks with Brazil failed to resolve trade issues.
The tariffs are applied under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Brazilian President Lula blames political reasons for the US action and points to local rival Flávio Bolsonaro.
The US Supreme Court recently limited President Trump’s power to impose tariffs under a different law, but this new tariff uses a different legal basis.
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Traders at Brixton market are trying to buy the market to keep it community-owned and protect small independent businesses. They are competing with big companies to buy the site, which is listed for £50 million, and hope to prevent a private equity firm from taking over and raising rents.
Key Facts
Traders want to keep Brixton market community-owned to protect independent shops.
The market is for sale at £50 million, and traders are competing against large companies.
The Buy Back Brixton campaign has reached the second stage of the bidding process.
The market is known for its diverse vendors from over 50 countries and strong African-Caribbean community ties.
Traders worry a private equity owner would increase rents and push out local businesses.
The current owner planned to redevelop the site, but community opposition stopped those plans.
Local politicians and the council support the traders’ community bid.
Traders have raised some funds but need more to meet the asking price and secure a loan.
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Starting in October 2027, every baby born in England will be tested for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare disease that weakens muscles and can be deadly if untreated. Early testing through a simple blood test can help children receive life-saving treatment before symptoms appear.
Key Facts
SMA is a rare disease that affects about 1 in 10,000 babies in the UK, causing weak muscles, breathing, and swallowing problems.
Without early diagnosis, SMA can cause death within two years of birth.
Babies diagnosed with SMA early can get gene therapy that helps them live normal lives.
From October 2024, 72% of newborns in England will be tested for SMA through a pilot program.
Universal screening for all newborns will start in October 2027 using 13 laboratories, up from the current 7.
The test is done by adding SMA screening to the existing heel-prick blood test given to newborns at five days old.
The expansion was prompted by concerns about unequal access to testing and pressure from SMA campaigners and public figures.
Muscular Dystrophy UK and Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK support the new universal testing plan as a major step for affected families.
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Tourists in Bucharest, Romania, are renting apartments in buildings that are officially unsafe in case of a big earthquake. Many of these illegal rental listings appear on Airbnb and Booking.com, even though Romanian law bans renting in such high-risk buildings.
Key Facts
At least 207 illegal rental properties in Bucharest’s most earthquake-prone buildings are listed on Airbnb and Booking.com.
These buildings have the highest seismic risk level, called RS1, and are banned from letting due to safety concerns.
Bucharest is the most earthquake-vulnerable capital in the EU and had a deadly earthquake in 1977 that killed over 1,500 people.
Romania made it illegal in 2024 to rent apartments in high-risk buildings, with fines for violations ranging from €1,000 to €2,000.
Only some buildings have been inspected, so more unsafe rentals likely exist than those identified.
Airbnb and Booking.com do not require hosts to prove their buildings are safe, and the platforms say it is the owners’ responsibility.
Some renters were unaware that staying in these buildings is illegal and only discovered the danger after booking.
A few hosts on Airbnb rent multiple apartments in high-risk buildings, often marketing them as comfortable or charming despite the risks.
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The chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Rain Newton-Smith, advised Andy Burnham, the new Labour leader, to avoid uncertain talks about tax and spending that could alarm businesses. She encouraged careful, steady decisions on fiscal plans and warned against costly ideas like renationalising utilities.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is set to become the Labour party leader with a new cabinet soon.
Rain Newton-Smith said speculation about tax increases or spending cuts creates uncertainty that worries businesses.
She advised the new chancellor to take time to listen to business concerns before making decisions.
Newton-Smith supports gradual changes instead of major shocks to the economy.
She warned that renationalising utilities is expensive and might hurt ordinary people.
Public-private partnerships were recommended to fund important projects like housing and energy-efficient buildings.
British businesses face high energy costs; electricity prices are 45% above the average of major countries (G7).
Newton-Smith suggested moving energy transition costs off business bills to taxpayers or private funding.
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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a final visit to Ukraine to show the UK's strong and lasting support for the country amid the ongoing war with Russia. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and highlighted the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and security.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer made a last trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister.
He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
The UK signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine for defense and trade cooperation.
The UK increased its defense investments and supported new war-fighting technologies.
British-made artillery barrels are being supplied to Ukraine under a £61 million contract.
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, killing eight people in recent strikes.
Starmer recalled supporting Zelensky shortly after a dispute between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Andy Burnham will replace Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to become the next prime minister soon.
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Andy Burnham, soon to be UK Prime Minister, faces a big housing problem with high prices and long waits for affordable homes. The UK government has promised to build many new homes, but it is not meeting its current targets.
Key Facts
The average house price in England was £300,000 last year, about eight times the average salary.
The Labour government wants to build 1.5 million new homes in England during this Parliament but is already behind schedule.
Andy Burnham plans a large council house-building program, the biggest since after World War II, but has not given exact details.
The government pledged £39 billion to build 300,000 new social and affordable homes over 10 years.
Council house building has fallen sharply since the 1980s due to past policies that sold many local authority homes.
In 2025, councils built only 1,970 new homes, compared to almost 200,000 per year in the 1950s.
To meet Burnham’s goals, councils would need much more money and staff to manage large building projects.
Only about 204,000 new homes were built in the 12 months to March 2024, below the yearly target needed to reach 1.5 million homes.
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Several London residents have spoken about recent racist abuse they faced in their own neighbourhoods, describing how it has affected their sense of safety and belonging. The Metropolitan Police report a 9% increase in racist hate crimes in London over the past year, with nearly 18,000 cases recorded.
Key Facts
A British Asian man in London was verbally abused with racist language while walking in his neighbourhood.
Uzma Hussain, a local business owner, faced 30 minutes of racist abuse outside her restaurant in Walthamstow Village.
The abuse caused emotional distress and made victims question their sense of identity and belonging.
Food influencer Jimmy Bapu was also racially abused after trying to help during one incident.
Some community members showed support and shared their own experiences of racism.
Racist hate crimes in London rose by 9% in the last year and almost 18,000 offences were reported.
About one in eight reported racist crimes are now processed in the justice system, up from fewer than one in ten the previous year.
Activists say many incidents are not reported, so the actual number may be higher.
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The UK government has proposed a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. by default on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The plan also aims to turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll to help teens sleep and focus better, but users can choose to disable these limits.
Key Facts
The curfew would apply automatically but can be turned off by 16- and 17-year-olds.
The ban would last six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m., on major social media platforms.
Features that encourage continuous watching, like autoplay and infinite scrolling, would be off by default.
A stricter ban on social media use for children under 16 is planned to start in 2027.
The UK government views this as a gradual way to help teens move safely toward adulthood.
Some politicians and child safety groups worry the voluntary system won't work well.
The policy still needs official approval and will likely be implemented by the next prime minister.
Australia has already banned social media use for under-16s since December 2023, setting a global example.
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