Increase in racism during World Cup reflects ‘growing pattern of abuse’ 09. July 2026 (11:36) Experts say rise in social media attacks on players such as Kylian Mbappé need to be viewed in wider political contextWorld Cup live – latest updatesAs players in the World Cup shore up their tactics and hone their teamwork skills ahead of the quarter-finals, a chorus of voices have warned that the rise of divisive political rhetoric is translating into an intensifying challenge for players on the pitch: a surge in racism.“There’s a huge issue,” said Samuel Okafor, the chief executive of Kick It Out, a UK-based organisation that seeks to tackle discrimination in football. “The political climate that we’re facing is clearly finding its way into football. And it’s making a huge difference in the levels of abuse we’re seeing – people are certainly being emboldened now more than ever.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Neil the one-tonne elephant seal causing traffic jams in rural Tasmania has returned to sea – for now 09. July 2026 (11:19) Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the ‘traffic cones and street signs of Tasmania can breathe a small sigh of relief’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA one-tonne southern elephant seal named Neil, whose beachside antics have attracted millions of views on social media, appears to have returned to sea.The five-year-old has spent several weeks at his usual twice-yearly haul-out spot in southern Tasmania. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
VW faces protests in Germany over proposed job cuts and factory closures 09. July 2026 (11:19) Demonstrations at 18 sites set up as radical transformation plan put to board of Europe’s biggest carmakerVolkswagen’s proposal to slash up to 100,000 jobs and close factories faces a major test on Thursday as formal proposals are put to the supervisory board at Europe’s biggest carmaker, with protests planned at all plants in Germany.IG Metall, the influential staff union, has organised demonstrations involving shop stewards and union council members at 18 sites, including the company’s headquarters. It warned the chief executive, Oliver Blume, that he cannot “pass the buck for failures of recent years on to the workforce”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bonnie Tyler, 80s pop legend known for Total Eclipse of the Heart and more, dies aged 75 09. July 2026 (11:15) Welsh singer and Eurovision entrant’s other hits included Footloose soundtrack smash Holding Out for a Hero• Alexis Petridis on Bonnie Tyler: She totally eclipsed her power-ballad peers, and created an astonishingly wide variety of pop• From Swansea clubs to worldwide fame: Bonnie Tyler – a life in picturesBonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer whose husky yet commanding voice made songs such as Total Eclipse of the Heart into 1980s classics, has died aged 75.A message on her Facebook page reads: “Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham calls for ‘more open’ public debate about defence spending – UK politics live 09. July 2026 (11:08) Next Labour leader, who is set to be elected unopposed, outlines foreign policy principles largely in line with StarmerBurnham promises he will not use party discipline to stifle debateThere is an urgent question in the Commons at 10.30am. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, has asked for a statement about the “Iran’s violation of the ceasefire”.And there will be two ministerial statements after business questions.An estimated 7.28 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of May, relating to 6.16 million patients, NHS figures show.This is up from 7.22 million treatments and 6.11 million patients at the end of April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
