Cuba suffers third nationwide blackout in six months 06. July 2026 (19:35) Impoverished island was already struggling to keep the lights on before the US imposed a blockade in JanuaryCuba on Monday suffered its third nationwide power outage since the start of the year, the state electricity company said.The impoverished island was already struggling to keep the lights on before the US president, Donald Trump, imposed an oil blockade in January, which has depleted the already dwindling supply of fuel for Cuba’s power plants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer intervened to oppose Fifa’s plan to move England kick-off time 06. July 2026 (19:18) PM stepped in over proposal to shift World Cup match to an earlier time, amid concerns it would benefit MexicoKeir Starmer intervened through diplomatic channels to oppose Fifa’s plan to bring forward England’s World Cup game against Mexico, amid concerns the change would hand the hosts an unfair advantage, it is understood.The prime minister instructed officials to argue against proposals to move the kick-off from 1am UK time (6pm local time) to earlier after being alerted by the Football Association that it would reduce England’s time to acclimatise to the high altitude in Mexico City. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Attacked behind the scenes’: Children of Blood & Bone author Tomi Adeyemi distances herself from film adaptation 06. July 2026 (19:17) The Nigerian-American writer says she ‘will not watch’ Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of her fantasy bestsellerTomi Adeyemi, the author of the popular YA fantasy Children of Blood and Bone, has distanced herself from the forthcoming film adaptation of her book.“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,” the Nigerian-American author said in group chat messages shared to TikTok. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage cries ‘witch-hunt’ – but this may be Reform’s Partygate moment 06. July 2026 (19:12) Media scrutiny of party leader’s finances has undermined his claim to be a politician in tune with typical votersWith his personal funding once again under media scrutiny, Nigel Farage, the leader of the rightwing Reform UK party, is adamant he is the victim of an “establishment plot” trying to stop him from reaching Downing Street.This time, Farage is facing questions about support for his lifestyle from the convicted criminal George Cottrell, just months after it was revealed by the Guardian that he also took £5m from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne as a personal gift. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada to buy 12 hi-tech German submarines after bidding war 06. July 2026 (18:41) TKMS beats South Korean rival to multibillion-dollar contract that will deepen Canada’s Nato tiesCanada has selected a German consortium to build a dozen cutting-edge submarines in one of the country’s largest-ever defence contracts that will further deepen its Nato ties before a crucial summit this week.On Monday the prime minister, Mark Carney, announced the winner of a tightly contested battle for the lucrative government contract to replace its fleet of ageing, secondhand subs, most of which are undergoing maintenance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EasyJet shares jump almost 10% after it agrees £5.5bn takeover bid 06. July 2026 (18:38) Airline’s board to recommend offer of £6.90 a share in deal analysts say shows UK firms are being bought on the cheapShares in easyJet surged nearly 10% after the airline agreed to a £5.5bn takeover at the fifth attempt, but analysts said that it showed UK firms were being bought on the cheap.The low-cost carrier’s board will recommend shareholders accept an offer price of £6.90 a share from Castlelake, a US private equity firm, after rejecting four previous bids of as little as £5.60 per share. EasyJet shares closed at 610p. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cuban zoo celebrates birth of Bengal tigers amid energy crisis 06. July 2026 (17:58) Arrival of endangered cats, including rare white cub, revitalises team straining under fuel and medicine shortagesFor the Cuban zookeeper Ángel Cordero, the sight of four Bengal tiger cubs playing in a cage at the Cuban national zoo is a small miracle on an island stifled by shortages of fuel, medicine and days-long power outages.The birth of these endangered big cats – including an exceedingly rare white tiger – has revitalised a team of zoo workers, he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italy ordered to compensate woman who was told her rape allegations were ‘normal’ 06. July 2026 (17:25) ECHR rules that Italian prosecutor’s remarks perpetuated ‘sexist stereotypes’ and downplayed gender violenceThe European court of human rights has ordered the Italian state to pay compensation to a woman whose allegations of repeated rape by her partner were dismissed by a prosecutor as “normal” for men who struggle to overcome resistance from “tired” women.The court ruled that the remarks perpetuated “sexist stereotypes” and downplayed gender violence, resulting in the woman being subjected to further victimisation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Higher-earning Australians flocking to 5% first home deposit scheme with some borrowers earning over $200,000 06. July 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Economists warn Labor’s removal of caps could be pushing up prices as support flows to people in better financial positionsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMost Australian first home buyers are using the government’s 5% deposit scheme, with one in three new participants earning more than the scheme’s previous cap for high income earners.The influx of high income earners into the first home guarantee program, economists warn, has pushed up property prices by increasing buying capacity for people who would have bought anyway. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Extreme high temperatures double young people’s risk of mental health admissions, Australian research shows 06. July 2026 (17:00) Exclusive University of Sydney study finds heat-related hospital admissions to increase by 6% to 7.7% by the end of the centuryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastExtreme high temperatures in warmer months double the risk of young people being admitted to hospital for a mental health condition, according to research.The analysis, which looked at 720,000 New South Wales hospital admissions of young people aged up to 24, suggested the climate crisis would aggravate the already declining mental health of young people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
