The show must go on: musical theatre cancellations lead to industry calls for urgent government help 29. June 2026 (17:00) In the space of a week, two major musicals, Waitress and Beetlejuice, and a $20m opera were forced to cancel shows amid skyrocketing costs, putting hundreds out of workGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s theatre industry is in desperate need of tax reform to keep it alive, experts have warned the federal government, after two major touring musicals and a $20m opera cancelled shows in the space of a week, citing skyrocketing costs and soft box office sales.Broadway musical Waitress, starring Rob Mills and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, announced on Sunday that it would end in Melbourne on 19 July, and will not tour to Sydney in August as planned.Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Love Island contestant reportedly leaves show over link to stabbing 29. June 2026 (16:58) Gabriel Garland, 24, was involved in New Year’s Eve altercation but not charged with any offenceA Love Island contestant has reportedly left the programme over his connection to a stabbing in London.Gabriel Garland, 24, was removed from the ITV2 dating series after briefly featuring in an episode on Sunday night as a Casa Amor villa boy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shooter kills five adults at youth welfare facility in Stade, Germany 29. June 2026 (16:43) Two arrested after incident at town west of Hamburg, with motive unknownFive people have been shot and killed at a youth welfare facility in a northern German town, police have said.The motive for the incident in Stade, close to the port city of Hamburg, on Monday was not immediately clear, a police spokesperson said. Two people, including the suspected shooter, had been arrested, he added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US supreme court rules Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies 29. June 2026 (16:29) Case focused on White House’s March 2025 firing of Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca SlaughterUS supreme court decisions – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe US supreme court ruled that Donald Trump can fire leaders of independent agencies or commissions, ending 90 years of court precedent that curbs executive power.The vote in the case of Trump v Slaughter is 6-3, with dissents from Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US supreme court rules Trump’s firing of Lisa Cook from Fed was unconstitutional 29. June 2026 (16:20) Justices find president does not have constitutional authority to fire Federal Reserve governor without causeUS supreme court decisions – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe US supreme court has refused Donald Trump’s attempts to immediately fire a Federal Reserve governor, in a landmark ruling that limits a president’s authority over the central bank.In a 5-4 opinion, the court said that Lisa Cook can stay on as a governor while she fights unproven allegations of mortgage fraud made by the Trump officials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe heatwave shows need to reject climate denial ‘lies’, says EU green chief 29. June 2026 (16:00) Teresa Ribera blames ‘ideologically driven’ falsehoods, driven by those with vested interests in fossil fuels, for attacks on green policyThe heatwave wreaking chaos across Europe is a “dramatic warning” to reject climate naysayers, a European Commission vice-president says.Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for a clean, just and competitive transition, lambasted those who listened to the “vested interests” of the fossil fuel industry rather than scientists and their own citizens. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families of two football players killed and injured in Venezuela earthquakes 29. June 2026 (15:21) Lucas Trejo of Argentina loses wife and two children while Héctor Bello’s partner dies saving their daughter‘Critical hours’ in Venezuela earthquake rescue operation – latest updatesFamily members of two professional footballers are among those killed by the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in a catastrophe that has claimed at least 1,450 lives.Among the reported victims are the wife and two children of Lucas Trejo, an Argentinian footballer signed to Club Sport Marítimo of La Guaira. He searched through rubble in the coastal city for his wife, Yanina, and their children, Aaron and Ainhoa, for three days before their bodies were recovered by rescue workers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Supreme court nears the end of its term with cases about Donald Trump’s power to be decided – US politics live 29. June 2026 (14:57) Court expected to hand down decisions on several outstanding cases, wrapping up term that has focussed on Trump’s expansive claims of presidential powerSign up for the Breaking News US emailDemocratic challenger Graham Platner leads Republican incumbent Susan Collins by two points among likely voters in Maine, 49% to 47%, according to a new poll by the New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena.While Platner holds a small edge in support, there is one troubling sign from the poll: It was conducted with likely voters in Maine and shows that 54% of respondents say they want Democrats to control the Senate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hit the bar! UK pubs serve 5.5m extra pints during World Cup so far 29. June 2026 (14:23) Thirsty England fans bought more than 8m pints on Saturday, with higher sales expected as the team progressesWorld Cup live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesEngland’s group-stage matches in the World Cup have been a boon for UK pubs, which have poured 5.5m more pints of draught beer and cider than usual.Saturday’s clash against Panama was the biggest trading occasion of the tournament so far, with more than 8m pints served. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Literally growing the future’: volunteers help save Scottish rainforest by collecting 11m seeds 29. June 2026 (14:21) Teams painstakingly combed endangered Atlantic habitat over several years, helping to grow 8m native treesA small band of volunteers has helped to grow nearly 8m native trees in Scotland, crucial to efforts to restore lost parts of the Atlantic rainforest, after collecting 11m seeds by hand.About 100 volunteers, including retired teachers and doctors, office workers and young families, have spent tens of thousands of hours venturing into often remote woods in the western Highlands and islands to search out seed-bearing trees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
