US man sentenced to 77 years for child sexual abuse tied to online extremist group

A 27-year-old Tennessee man described by the US justice department as a “nihilistic violent extremist” was sentenced to 77 years in prison on Wednesday for his targeting of girls online as part of the 764 network, an online group the FBI calls a form of “modern-day terrorism”.

Ukrainian publishers call for support after Russian attacks destroy 10m books

The Ukrainian Book Institute has called on the international publishing community to support Ukrainian publishers after Russian attacks in July and early August destroyed about 10m books and a significant share of the country’s book production capacity.

Sydney air traffic controllers have ‘grave concerns’ about collision risk after airspace redesign

Air traffic controllers at Sydney airport have warned federal safety regulators they have “grave concerns” about changes to airspace rules introduced last month, likening the situation to the months leading up to a crash in Washington DC in which 67 people died.

Israel is betting on Islamophobia to save its standing in the West

It had been a lengthy and productive meeting with the chief of staff to a Republican member of Congress. We had discussed United States policy towards Israel, and the scepticism of many of the Grand Old Party members towards the relationship and the challenge they face in saying anything about it given President Donald Trump’s iron grip on it. But there was one final agenda item I needed to raise: the member’s participation in the newly created “Sharia-Free America Caucus”, a group of US representatives standing against what one founding member described as “a religion of violence, abuse of women, and ruthless political conquest. Its laws and practices have no place in American society.”

GCSE results: almost one in four boys in England get top grades in maths

Almost one in four boys in England received top grades in maths while results in English improved across the board, helping to propel improved GCSE results for this year’s cohort of 16-year-olds.

Syrian official says ‘no plans’ to establish Turkish military presence

The foreign minister says in an interview that Turkish military officials had visited the airbase as part of training.

Syria has no plans to establish a Turkish military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase attacked by Israel earlier this week, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has said.

Travelodge boss steps down as chain tackles security after sex assault at hotel

The boss of Travelodge, Jo Boydell, has stepped down as the group addresses safety issues after a sexual assault at one of its hotels.

A woman staying at a hotel in Maidenhead was sexually assaulted in December 2022 after a man lied to staff to get a key card to her room. Kyran Smith was jailed for more than seven years for the attack.

Israel admits its soldiers opened fire at car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab | First Thing

Good morning.

The Israeli military admitted on Wednesday its troops had opened fire on a car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab and six family members in Gaza in 2024, saying it had ordered a criminal investigation into the killing.

John Swinney defends £45,000 business-class flights to World Cup

John Swinney has defended the use of more than £45,000 of public funds on business-class flights for him and two senior aides to the World Cup.

The first minister flew to Boston on 11 June for Scotland's opening match, before taking part in trade talks in Kentucky three days later.

Missing teen hiker Lily Hooper found dead as NSW police apologise for miscommunication ‘born of elation’

The body of missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper has been found in a remote New South Wales national park more than a week after she set out on her hike.