MPs seek to end UK broadcast of Russian cartoon Masha and the Bear 02. July 2026 (14:46) Cross-party group writes to ministers of concerns children’s show contains unsubtle ‘propaganda content’UK politics live – latest updatesA cartoon for preschoolers depicting the adventures of a small girl and a retired circus bear may seem an unlikely source of parliamentary concern.Yet a cross-party group of MPs has written to ministers urging them to examine whether they can stop the globally popular Masha and the Bear from being broadcast in the UK, alleging it amounts to a cuddly form of Russian propaganda. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No 10 shares ‘public’s shock’ at reports of convicted people smuggler living in UK 02. July 2026 (14:41) Downing Street urgently looking into BBC report that ‘godfather’ of Calais migrant camps is living in LeicestershireDowning Street has said it shares “the public’s shock” at a report that a convicted people smuggler is living in Britain and is urgently looking into the circumstances.The man, once labelled “the godfather” of the Calais migrant camps, was tracked down by the BBC to Leicestershire, where he reportedly changed his name from Twana Jamal and was working illegally while attempting to claim asylum. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vatican excommunicates all members of ultra-conservative rebel group SSPX 02. July 2026 (14:32) Schism caused by Society of Saint Pius X ordaining four bishops without consent presents first crisis for Pope LeoEurope live – latest updatesThe Vatican has excommunicated a rebel group of ultra-conservative Catholics who defied Pope Leo by ordaining bishops without his consent, creating a schism in the Roman Catholic church.In a statement on Thursday, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who heads the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the group from the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), founded in the Swiss village of Ecône in 1970, had “committed an act of a schismatic nature” which, under canon law, is punishable with automatic excommunication. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Papua separatists kill American pilot in ‘message’ to US and Indonesia 02. July 2026 (14:18) Rebels shoot pilot and set his civilian plane on fire amid long-running low-level battle for independence in regionSeparatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive easternmost region of Papua have shot dead an American pilot and set a civilian plane on fire, in what a spokesperson for a local militant group described as a “message” to the US and Indonesian governments.Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), named the pilot as Nicholas F Gosselin and said separatist fighters had set his plane on fire after it landed in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua province. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nippon Steel takeover doesn’t mean safer, cleaner conditions, US workers and residents say 02. July 2026 (14:00) Pennsylvania families note promised investment has yet to deliver safer mills or cleaner air in the Mon ValleyIt was two days before Father’s Day, and Trisha Quinn was wondering how her six, 12 and 17-year-old nieces and nephews would handle the first of many without their dad.Timothy Quinn, 39, worked at the Clairton Coke Works plant south of Pittsburgh, one of US Steel’s biggest production sites and the largest of its kind in the western hemisphere, for 18 years. Last August, he and colleague, Steven Menefee, were killed there in an explosion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Social media platforms ‘monetise gore and fringe content’, eSafety regulator tells antisemitism commission 02. July 2026 (13:41) Julie Inman Grant singles out X when giving evidence to royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMainstream platforms are fighting to distribute and monetise “gore” and “fringe” content, the eSafety watchdog has told the antisemitism royal commission.Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, on Thursday singled out X, telling the inquiry her office has to fight its billionaire owner, Elon Musk, to try to keep footage – including some posted of the Bondi terror attack – restricted or off the platform. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Forecasters warn of record-breaking US summer heat amid intense El Niño 02. July 2026 (13:30) More than 100 million people could be affected in week leading to 4 July, with increased risks of droughts and wildfiresMeteorologists are anticipating a tumultuous summer that could rank as one of the US’s hottest ever.New data released on Tuesday showed the first six months of the year were the hottest ever measured for parts of eight western states. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Côte d’Ivoire floods kill 59 as west Africa endures torrential rains 02. July 2026 (13:01) Authorities say rainy season getting deadlier, with Ghana reporting 13 dead and floods hitting Benin, Togo and NigeriaFloods in Côte d’Ivoire have killed 59 people since May, the communication minister told a cabinet meeting in Abidjan.There are fears the toll could further rise as rescue teams continue to search for victims during the rainy season, which runs from May until July, the minister, Amadou Coulibaly, added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Far-right French mayor causes outrage after cancelling play about migrant 02. July 2026 (12:28) Writer says ‘Trumpish’ decision to ban staging is warning of what may happen if National Rally runs countryIn the Anglo-French playwright Alexis Michalik’s play Passeport, a young man has been beaten and left for dead in the notorious Calais refugee camp known as “the Jungle”.When he wakes up, he has no idea who he is – and his only possession is a blue Eritrean passport containing the name Issa. With two others from the camp he decides to leave, not to take the perilous Channel crossing to the UK but instead to try to integrate into France and obtain the necessary papers to remain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Release of Rochdale grooming gang leader ‘really scary’, says whistleblower 02. July 2026 (12:01) Exclusive: Health worker Sara Rowbotham fears for women and girls because of ‘weak’ probation serviceThe impending release of the Rochdale grooming gang leader is “really scary” for local women and girls because of failings in a “weak” probation service and his lack of remorse, a former health worker who exposed the paedophile ring has said.Sara Rowbotham, whose team gathered evidence that led to the imprisonment of Shabir Ahmed and eight other men in Rochdale, said she is “terrified” by the prospect of meeting him in the street. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
