Fears of Catholic schism as defiant sect ordains ultra-conservative bishops 01. July 2026 (14:08) Consecrations by Society of Saint Pius X bring automatic excommunication for bishops – and crisis for Pope LeoA rebel group of ultra-conservative Catholics has defied Pope Leo by ordaining bishops without his consent, which they declared a “sacred duty” despite it causing their automatic excommunication.In a ritual-filled ceremony on Wednesday, streamed live from the Swiss village of Ecône, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) went ahead with the consecrations of four bishops, one from Switzerland, one from France and two from the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ireland set to take presidency of EU in Dublin opening ceremony – Europe live 01. July 2026 (11:59) Ireland’s tasks at helm of bloc include helping navigate talks on fresh Russia sanctions, and Ukraine and Moldova accessionMeanwhile, airlines and airports have called for the new EU biometric border check system to be suspended during the peak summer holiday period, saying some flights are leaving half full and passengers are struggling in queues of up to five hours.In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, airlines and airports asked for an option to suspend checks under the system over fears the situation will get much worse during the busy summer season.“Airlines face half-empty planes at gate closing time, while passengers are stuck in border control queues.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two confirmed dead in mass celebrations by Mexico fans after World Cup victory 01. July 2026 (11:36) Third death reported by local media but unconfirmedMore than a million people gathered in Mexico CityAt least two people died during massive celebrations in Mexico City as the national team advanced to the next round at the World Cup, according to the local government.A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation, according to the city’s health ministry. Authorities have not confirmed the death of a third person, reported by local media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Henry Nowak murder: two officers under gross misconduct investigation 01. July 2026 (11:11) IOPC to consider if race was a factor in response to student, whom officers initially handcuffed and treated as a suspectTwo police officers in the case of Henry Nowak have been placed under investigation for gross misconduct by the police watchdog.Nowak, 18, died in December 2025 after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Digwa falsely told police he had been the victim of a racist attack, which led officers to handcuff Nowak and treat him as a suspect, despite him saying he had been stabbed and that he could not breathe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A ‘buttery’ mouthfeel or ‘meadow grass’ notes? How Australian olive oils rank against other supermarket options 01. July 2026 (11:10) Consumer advocacy group Choice blind tested 30 olive oils – and found many of the highest ranked came from AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConsumer advocacy group Choice has taste tested 30 supermarket extra-virgin olive oils, and found some Australian-made oils rank higher than those imported from Italy and Spain.“A lot of Australians are after local products, and there are a lot of Australian olive oil makers that have built quite a good reputation,” Pru Engel, Choice audience and engagement editor, said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK house prices stall for second straight month as agents warn of summer slump 01. July 2026 (10:59) Average price of typical home little changed at £277,484 in June, says Nationwide, while housebuilder shares fallBusiness live – latest updatesUK house price growth stalled for a second consecutive month in June as rising interest rates triggered by the war in Iran hurt homebuyer demand and agents warned of a summer slump.The average price of a typical UK home edged down to £277,484 last month from £278,024 a month earlier, after a 0.6% month-on-month fall in May, according to the lender Nationwide. Economists had forecast a small monthly rise of 0.1% in June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Call to suspend new EU border system in peak holiday period as planes leave half full 01. July 2026 (10:08) Airlines and airports say passengers are struggling in queues of up to five hours for biometric checksAirlines and airports have called for the new EU biometric border check system to be suspended during the peak summer holiday period,saying some flights are leaving half full and passengers are struggling in queues of up to five hours.In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, airlines and airports asked for an option to suspend checks under the system over fears the situation will get much worse during the busy summer season. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RSC casts Sharon D Clarke as black lesbian Othello in reimagining of play 01. July 2026 (10:00) Three-time Olivier winner to play general viewed through ‘urgent new lens’ of misogynoir in futuristic productionThe Royal Shakespeare Company has cast Sharon D Clarke as a black lesbian Othello in a futuristic reimagining of the play which is being billed as projecting the 400-year-old story through “an urgent new lens”.Clarke, who is a three-time Olivier winner and has starred in West End and Broadway productions, brought the project to the RSC with the twist that Othello would be depicted as a black lesbian general married to a younger Desdemona. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Life-saving’ drug for people with opioid dependency to be pulled from Australia by end of year 01. July 2026 (09:55) Exclusive: Fears that US companies may withdraw more medicines as global markets react to policy changes by the Trump administrationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA “life-saving” drug heavily subsidised for Australians living with opioid dependency will be pulled from the market by the end of the year, causing alarm among doctors and pharmacists.US pharmaceutical company Indivior confirmed the marketing and sale of the long-acting injectable prescription opioid Sublocade would end from 31 December, with a company spokesperson describing it as a “commercial decision”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minister and MP ‘furious’ over cuts to road projects to fund defence plan 01. July 2026 (09:44) Robert Jenrick and Hamish Falconer, MPs for Newark and Lincoln, among those whose constituencies now face cutsUK politics live – latest updatesThe Labour minister Hamish Falconer and the Reform MP Robert Jenrick have voiced anger at the cancellation or delay of key transport infrastructure projects to fund the defence investment plan.Falconer, the MP for Lincoln and Middle East minister, and Jenrick, the MP for Newark, were among those who have had cuts to road improvements in their constituencies, with savings contributing towards the increase in defence spending. Two roads in the East Midlands are among those where investment cuts have been made to fund a £15bn uplift in defence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
