In the US, Texas lawmakers approved a controversial redistricting map favoring Republicans, while Trump administration initiatives targeted protected migrant status and revoked security clearances for officials; the White House also surprisingly launched a TikTok account.

• Texas lawmakers approve redistricting map favouring Republicans — BBC World -
• Texas house passes Republican-drawn gerrymandered congressional map after weeks of protest – live updates — The Guardian -
• Texas Republicans pass gerrymandered congressional map requested by Trump — The Guardian -

• Fed governor urged by Trump to resign will not be ‘bullied’ into stepping down — The Guardian -
• Watch: Are museums in DC too 'woke'? We ask visitors what they think — BBC World -
• US court allows Trump officials to end protected status for 60,000 migrants — The Guardian -
• Tulsi Gabbard revokes security clearances of 37 US intelligence officials — BBC World -
• JD Vance booed during hamburger handout to national guard troops in DC — The Guardian -
• Trump administration’s anti-woke campaign targets seven flagship museums — The Guardian -
• Watch: JD Vance heckled as he meets National Guard in Washington DC — BBC World -
• Judge rejects Trump administration’s request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts — The Guardian -
• Non-binary park ranger fired for hanging trans pride flag in Yosemite — The Guardian -
• US health agency workers accuse RFK Jr of fueling violence against them — The Guardian -
• Texas can’t require public schools to display Ten Commandments in class, judge rules — The Guardian -
• Military vehicle crashes into car in DC as states send more national guard troops — The Guardian -
• US-Mexico border wall to be painted black to stop climbers — BBC World -
• Trump administration revokes clearances for 37 security officials — The Guardian -
• Target CEO steps down as company faces weak sales and customer boycott — The Guardian -
• Uganda denies reports that it has struck deal with Trump to take in US deportees — The Guardian -
• US strikes deportation deals with Honduras and Uganda — BBC World -
• Texas Democrats tear ‘permission slips’ imposed by Republican house speaker — The Guardian -
• Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem announces new Ice jail in Nebraska amid Trump crackdown – as it happened — The Guardian -
• White House launches official TikTok account after Trump vowed ban in 2020 — The Guardian -

Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza City and approved new West Bank settlements, drawing global outcry and sparking a diplomatic spat with Australia, while talks between Syrian and Israeli officials were brokered by the U.S.

• With Moves on West Bank and Gaza City, Israel Defies Global Outcry — New York Times World -
• UK to evacuate nine Gaza students with university scholarships — The Guardian -
• Israeli military says first stages of assault on Gaza City have begun — BBC World -

• Israel Approves Settlements, a Blow to Faded Hopes for a Palestinian State — New York Times World -
• Gazans Fear Looming Israeli Operation — New York Times World -
• Thursday Briefing: Israel’s Planned Offensive — New York Times World -
• Israel approves controversial West Bank settlement project — BBC World -
• Trump Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Hero’ and Adds: ‘I Guess I Am, Too’ — New York Times World -
• Israel expands Gaza City offensive as UK decries West Bank settlement approval — The Guardian -
• Buchenwald can refuse entry to people wearing Palestinian keffiyeh, German court rules — The Guardian -
• Macron hits out at ‘abject’ Netanyahu claim of rise in antisemitism in France — The Guardian -
• Israel to call up around 60,000 reservists before planned offensive on Gaza City, says Israeli military official – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Concern Australian doctor ‘pushed’ out as chair of medical insurer board over social media posts on Gaza war — The Guardian -
• Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of planned Gaza City offensive — BBC World -
• Syrian and Israeli Officials Meet for U.S. Brokered Talks — New York Times World -
• Australia’s peak Jewish group condemns Netanyahu’s ‘clumsy’ attack on Albanese and calls for end to ‘spat’ — The Guardian -
• There are risks in Australia’s row with Israel, but it’s Netanyahu who is trashing the relationship — The Guardian -
• Netanyahu accuses Australian PM of 'betraying' Israel — BBC World -
• Australian minister says ‘strength not measured by how many people you can blow up’ as row with Netanyahu escalates — The Guardian -
• Microsoft workers occupy HQ in protest against company’s ties to Israeli military — The Guardian -

Discussions on Ukraine's postwar security guarantees continued, with Russia demanding a role in international talks and President Trump reiterating no US troops would be sent, as fighting intensifies in Donetsk.

• Rubio Takes on Tricky Task of Drafting Security Guarantees for Ukraine — New York Times World -
• Inside Trump’s Effort on Russia and Ukraine — New York Times World -
• What Russia Is Doing to Grab Ukrainian Land While It Still Can — New York Times World -

• Russia Demands Role in Guaranteeing Ukraine’s Postwar Security — New York Times World -
• Why Donetsk matters so much for Ukraine's defences — BBC World -
• Trump Says He’s Ended 6 (or 7) Wars. Here’s Some Context. — New York Times World -
• Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want to make deal — BBC World -
• Russia says it must be part of international talks on Ukraine’s security — The Guardian -
• Trump rules out sending US troops to Ukraine to enforce peace deal | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Wednesday Briefing: An Uncertain Path to Peace in Ukraine — New York Times World -
• ‘It would be a terrible loss’: Ukrainian frontline troops sceptical of ceding land — The Guardian -
• White House Presses Meeting, Security Guarantees That Russia Has Yet to Accept — New York Times World -
• Securing Postwar Ukraine, Even With Trump’s Pledge to Help, Is Complex — New York Times World -

Labour councils are exploring legal challenges to close asylum hotels and considering public-private funding for the NHS, as UK inflation unexpectedly rose and rail fares are set to increase, amidst a call to protect BBC independence from future government influence.

• Labour-run councils consider legal challenges to close asylum hotels — The Guardian -
• England to sell eight times more council homes than it built last year, report finds — The Guardian -
• Protect BBC’s independence in case of Farage government, ex-news head urges — The Guardian -

• Labour MSP Colin Smyth charged over indecent images — The Guardian -
• Former C of E vicar found guilty of indecent assault against nine women — The Guardian -
• Reeves leaves no stone unturned as she mulls reforms for property tax — The Guardian -
• Loan ‘irregularities’ led to collapse of Prax Lindsey oil refinery — The Guardian -
• Ministers line up plan to run Liberty Steel’s South Yorkshire plants in administration — The Guardian -
• Gordon Brown calls for apologies over historic forced adoptions — The Guardian -
• Channel 4 rather than Netflix is ‘proud parent’ of Adolescence, says news boss — The Guardian -
• Could an ancient cow’s tooth unlock the origins of Stonehenge? — The Guardian -
• Government’s deal with Iraq to return illegal migrants will ‘deter small boat arrivals’, says Starmer – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Labour preparing to use public-private funding model for NHS in England — The Guardian -
• Terror charge against Kneecap rapper should be thrown out, court told — The Guardian -
• CrossCountry passengers face strike disruption on bank holiday weekend — The Guardian -
• Rail fares in England on path to rise by 5.8% next year on back of inflation data — The Guardian -
• More councils in England plan to challenge asylum hotels after Essex ruling — The Guardian -
• Reeves considering tax on high-value homes to help plug hole in finances — The Guardian -
• UK inflation rises by more than expected to 3.8% amid higher food prices — The Guardian -
• Family in fear after Tommy Robinson shares video of black man with white granddaughters — The Guardian -
• ‘Don’t call this racist’: row grows over motives behind England flag campaign — The Guardian -
• Shower gel ad gets UK ban for suggesting black skin is problematic — The Guardian -
• UK wasp numbers soar after unusually warm and dry spring — The Guardian -
• Teach boys and girls together about menstruation, UCL study argues — The Guardian -

Heavy monsoon rains paralyzed Mumbai, claiming lives and causing evacuations, while a deadly bus crash in Afghanistan killed dozens of deportees from Iran; other incidents include a drone explosion in Haiti and a fire at Milan's airport.

• Drone Explosion in Haiti Kills 2 SWAT Members and Injures 6 Others — New York Times World -
• Monsoon Rains Bring Mumbai to a Standstill — New York Times World -
• Two arrested after ‘famous’ ice-cream man fatally stabbed in north-west London — The Guardian -

• Man sets fire to check-in area at Milan's Malpensa airport — BBC World -
• Watch: Fire rages at Milan airport check-in desk — BBC World -
• Hurricane Erin pounds US east coast as residents brace for ‘life-threatening’ waves — The Guardian -
• Man held after four bodies found in River Seine — BBC World -
• At least 78 people killed as bus collides with fuel truck in western Afghanistan — The Guardian -
• More Than 70 Afghans Returning From Iran Die in Fiery Bus Crash — New York Times World -
• Dozens of Afghan deportees from Iran killed in bus crash — BBC World -
• Hurricane Erin leaves some US East Coast beaches off limits — BBC World -
• Six severed heads found on road in Mexico — BBC World -

India and China hailed warming ties amidst a geopolitical shake-up influenced by Trump's tariffs, while Canada and Mexico look to team up against looming tariff threats, and Thailand and Cambodia are locked in a fierce war of words.

• A fierce war of words keeps Thailand and Cambodia on edge — BBC World -
• India ‘successfully tests’ nuclear-capable missile able to reach deep into China — The Guardian -
• No Tariff Exemption for European Wine and Spirits, at Least for Now — New York Times World -

• Xi Jinping Visits Tibet as Dalai Lama’s Succession Looms — New York Times World -
• Hong Kong Government Fixates on ‘Soft Resistance’ — New York Times World -
• India and China hail warming ties amid Trump-induced geopolitical shake-up — The Guardian -
• Canada and Mexico Look to Team Up as Trump’s Tariff Threats Loom — New York Times World -
• Why Georgia, Once on Democracy’s Vanguard, Is Drifting Toward Russia — New York Times World -
• Chinese man jailed in US for sending weapons to North Korea — BBC World -
• Trump’s tariffs replace diplomacy as other US tools of statecraft are discarded — The Guardian -

Californians are bracing for a severe heatwave with high wildfire risks, a fire continues to burn in one of the world's tallest trees, and concerns persist over rainforest deforestation for RV production; meanwhile, a new bladder cancer treatment offers hope, and Walmart recalled potentially radioactive shrimp.

• Treatment that can double bladder cancer survival rates available to 1,000 patients in England — The Guardian -
• Saving China's finless porpoise from the brink of extinction — BBC World -
• Californians brace for worst multiday heatwave of the year — The Guardian -

• Fire still burning in one of world's tallest trees after three days — BBC World -
• The Rainforests Being Cleared to Build Your R.V. — New York Times World -
• Cases of Mosquito-Borne Chikungunya Virus Are Surging Globally: What to Know — New York Times World -
• Walmart recalls potentially radioactive shrimp sold in 13 US states — The Guardian -
• Trump-fueled gas boom has Gulf coast communities on edge: ‘We will keep fighting’ — The Guardian -
• Man run over by own bulldozer while fighting Portugal fires — BBC World -
• Dramatic rise in whale and dolphin strandings in Scotland — The Guardian -

Australia's childcare sector faces calls for a 'fundamental reset' due to an abuse crisis, Queensland public servants witnessed widespread corruption, and Tasmanian Labor elected a new leader; concurrently, Bruce Lehrmann's defamation appeal continues, and the University of Melbourne breached student privacy during a protest.

• Australia news live: ABC boss warns journalists over WhatsApp risks; search for two men missing after car goes into NSW river — The Guardian -
• How do we decide if a tax is good or bad? And which ones are ‘damaging’ Australia’s economy? — The Guardian -
• Here is what needs to be done to address Australia’s childcare abuse crisis - and politicians can’t say they didn’t know — The Guardian -

• Josh Willie named new Tasmanian Labor leader after party officially concedes election defeat — The Guardian -
• One third of Queensland public servants have witnessed corruption and over half didn’t report it, watchdog finds — The Guardian -
• Details of Monash IVF review to remain secret – as it happened — The Guardian -
• University of Melbourne breached students’ privacy by using wifi network to monitor pro-Palestine protest — The Guardian -
• Childcare needs a ‘fundamental reset’ to improve safety. These are Victoria’s key recommendations — The Guardian -
• Bruce Lehrmann has become a ‘national joke’ and can’t afford barrister for defamation appeal, his lawyer says — The Guardian -
• New investigation into backpacker killer Ivan Milat possible after NSW premier leaves door open — The Guardian -
• Australian novel attracts controversy over fictionalised depiction of gay codebreaker Alan Turing — The Guardian -
• Australian Book Week is here – and we’d love to see your children’s costumes — The Guardian -

Reading for fun has significantly declined in the US, prompting Denmark to abolish its book tax to boost literacy; debates continue over transgender rights and media portrayals of race, while new research suggests keyboards improve exam scores.

• Students who use keyboards in exams get better scores, research finds — The Guardian -
• ‘Deeply concerning’: reading for fun in the US has fallen by 40%, new study says — The Guardian -
• Denmark scraps book tax to fight 'reading crisis' — BBC World -

• Denmark scraps book tax to fight 'reading crisis' — BBC World -
• German controversy surrounds jail term for transgender far-right extremist — BBC World -
• Non-binary park ranger fired for hanging trans pride flag in Yosemite — The Guardian -
• Denmark to abolish VAT on books in effort to get more people reading — The Guardian -
• More than 2.8m people in US identify as trans, including 724,000 youth, data shows — The Guardian -
• Vienna announced as host city for Eurovision song contest 2026 — The Guardian -
• Noel Gallagher opens up about his brother Liam on Oasis reunion tour: ‘He’s been amazing’ — The Guardian -

A South African minister faces investigation for historical racial slurs, Italy mourned the 'King of Television' Pippo Baudo, and archaeologists will excavate Scotland's first skatepark; unusual events included a church being moved on wheels in Sweden, a fireball over Japan, and a family pleading for the return of a New Zealand fugitive and his children.

• John Cruickshank, Last World War II Victoria Cross Winner, Dies at 105 — New York Times World -
• No Food, No Water, a Broken Leg: How a Hiker Survived a Harrowing Week in the Wild — New York Times World -
• Leading conservationist in South Africa denies smuggling rhino horns worth $14m — BBC World -

• Polish army believes drone that exploded in eastern Poland was launched from Russia – as it happened — The Guardian -
• South African minister investigated for historical racial slurs on social media — The Guardian -
• Italians Pay Final Respects to Pippo Baudo, Their ‘King of Television’ — New York Times World -
• Archaeologists to excavate Glasgow skatepark – with help from skaters — The Guardian -
• South African MP opens fire to fend off attack during attempted hijacking — BBC World -
• Unregulated Sexual Stimulants Flood West Africa — New York Times World -
• South Korea tells tourists on holiday island Jeju to behave — BBC World -
• African Union Endorses Call to Abandoned the Mercator Map — New York Times World -
• Watch final trip for church on wheels as it moves to new home — BBC World -
• French streamer dies live online after months of apparent mistreatment — The Guardian -
• ‘I’m just waiting and waiting’: Filipino survivors feel left out of Maui fire recovery efforts — The Guardian -
• ‘Did I just save her life?’: US trucker honored as ‘angel’ for role in abduction rescue — The Guardian -
• Ireland’s Last Leprechaun Whisperer Pitches TV Show — New York Times World -
• Family of NZ fugitive on the run with children pleads for return — BBC World -
• Fireball lights up sky over western Japan — The Guardian -
• Malaysian state threatens to jail Muslim men who skip Friday prayers — The Guardian -
• Family of New Zealand fugitive on the run for almost four years with his children plead for his return — The Guardian -
• Watch: Competitors walk slackline 400m above Chinese gorge — BBC World -
• After Defying Back-to-Work Orders, Air Canada Employees Reach Tentative Deal — New York Times World -