Michael Baird, a Highland councillor, has been suspended for two months after breaching the councillors' code of conduct. The Standards Commission found that Baird was "disrespectful" towards the chair and committee of a local community group over plans to transform Carbisdale Castle. Baird had sent an email stating he would not support future funding for the village hall unless they backed a land purchase, which was deemed as "effectively threatening to use his position and influence". He has accepted that his correspondence may have been interpreted as "discourteous" and apologised "unequivocally".

Gold prices have reached a new high, jumping to $3,357.40 per ounce, as investors worry about the impact of the US-China trade war on the economy. The increase follows comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell that President Trump’s tariff policies could lead to slower growth, higher prices, and increased unemployment risks. Analysts say gold is in "full lifeboat mode" as investors seek safe haven assets during times of economic uncertainty.

A frustrated resident, Morgan Cox, set up a tent outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $4.3 million holiday home in Copacabana, NSW, protesting Australia's housing crisis. With a sign reading "Everyone deserves a home Albo!", Cox, a father-of-three, expressed his frustration on behalf of 3.5 million Australians facing poverty or homelessness, and called for the government to listen to their concerns.

Tania Fernandes Anderson, a former Democrat lawmaker, was filmed removing furniture from Boston City Hall just before pleading guilty to stealing public funds. Surveillance footage shows her and two associates taking away a rug, chair, and other items with the help of a U-Haul truck, which had been charged to her campaign finance report for $67.12 the following day. Fernandes Anderson was previously arrested and charged with orchestrating a kickback scheme to steal city funds through a family member on her payroll, and had admitted to pocketing $7,000 of public funds as part of the scam.