Italy would be better employed protecting its citizens from the effects of climate change than stirring up racist venom over the ‘one day wonder’ stunt in Ceuta. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Italy to place all 27 of its major cities on highest heat alert

Move comes as fourth heatwave of summer intensifies, edging temperatures in some areas close to 40C

theguardian.com

‘The spectacle of Ceuta represents a more primal & guttural need, for the inflammatory anti-immigration crusade to be seen as well as spoken. The photos and footage are all geared towards encouraging the viewer to see these brown bodies as a single mass.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Ceuta was a carnival of anti-migrant content for hateful opportunists on the right – and a lesson for the left | Jonathan Liew

It was framed as a perfect storm because nativists dearly wanted it to be. Looking on, progressives failed to meet the moment too, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew

theguardian.com

‘Infantino was dealt a further blow after Fifa Sec Gen, Grafström, called the failed WC private investment plan a “sad & reproachable series of events”. Arsène Wenger Fifa chief of global development said the project’s withdrawal was “absolutely necessary’. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Wenger and Infantino’s No 2 Grafström criticise ‘sad and reproachable’ World Cup plan

Gianni Infantino’s authority was dealt a further blow after his No 2 Mattias Grafström called the failed World Cup private investment plan a “sad and reproachable series of events”

theguardian.com

Imagine, if instead of hate bombing N. Ireland with Semtex for 30 years someone had thought of love bombing it with fiddles, flutes, uillean pipes & dancers. It could have worked wonders… It might yet! @fleadhcheoil

‘Older workers have crystallised intelligence; better verbal ability, reasoning, visual-spatial skills, a better capacity to tune out negativity & instil positivity. They bring decades of accumulated knowledge, & understanding of how organisations work & thrive.’ www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...

Rose Anne Kenny: We are living longer. This is how workplaces need to adapt

Forced retirement robs many people of a sense of purpose, which is a key factor in longevity. But it also denies organisations something they need

irishtimes.com

‘The scale of corruption in Trump’s second administration is head-spinning’ www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...

The scale of corruption in Trump’s second administration is head-spinning

Self-censorship in Trump's America is increasingly common and despite the administration’s growing unpopularity, criticism is muted

irishtimes.com

A bit of clarity! ‘US & Israeli right-wingers had in recent weeks called on Morocco to act on Ceuta to punish Sánchez for his opposition to the war in Iran. US and Israeli politicians quickly seized on the crisis to attack Sánchez’s pro-immigration policies. www.irishtimes.com/world/africa...

Spain pushes last migrants out of Ceuta as locals suspect US role in ‘invasion’

Soldiers round up Moroccans roaming the streets and hiding in poorly-lit areas

irishtimes.com

‘What makes US politicians risk costly entanglements in foreign wars they can’t control & usually lose? Insecurity, fear, is a common denominator. Trump & Netanyahu have greatly & knowingly exaggerated the immediacy & existential nature of the Iranian threat. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Decades on from the US’s disastrous campaign in Afghanistan, Trump is making all the same mistakes | Simon Tisdall

The president has blundered into a ‘forever war’ with Iran he can’t win, but refuses to end. Such hubris has a long history, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall

theguardian.com

‘In his 2024 book Head North, written with the Liverpool mayor, Steve Rotheram, Burnham said deep inequality had become entrenched in Britain partly because it had not evolved from a “feudal state” in which power is largely concentrated in Westminster.’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Devolution plans strengthen case for written UK constitution, says Burnham

PM argues for codified model of decentralisation that would fundamentally change centuries-old workings of state

theguardian.com

"A concentration camp, in its most basic definition, is a place where a targeted civilian population, not necessarily accused of a crime, is detained and at least some of their basic rights are suspended," writes @jwashing.bsky.social. "That’s precisely what’s happening in the United States today."

Don’t call them ICE detention centers. Call them camps | John Washington

I’ve spent a decade reporting on immigration enforcement. The word ‘camp’ best captures the political function of these facilities

theguardian.com

‘Over the past three years, Tesla reported an effective federal income tax rate of 0.4%. This is a tiny fraction of the 21% tax rate profitable corporations are supposed to pay under the law.’ Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, www.irishtimes.com/business/wor...

Let them eat crumbs: Growing wage inequality is bad for both workers and businesses

Companies in Ireland should disclose the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay as US and UK groups do

irishtimes.com

Here is a full list of every state that DOJ had sued and lost for access to their voter file: Arizona California Connecticut Kentucky Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin

‘A civilisation is a complex system of complex systems. Eventually all complex systems, without exception throughout history, have collapsed under the weight of their complexity.’ www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...

Your worst fears about cultural collapse might be true – here’s what you can do about it

Writer Sarah Wilson argues we’re hurtling toward the same end as ancient Rome and the Mayan civilisation – but there’s plenty to fight for

theguardian.com

Another great sport story from the weekend. ‘With her impressive runaway victory over 1,500 metres, Sophie O’Sullivan collected her 2nd national title finally taking down the championship record which had belonged to her mother Sonia since 1995.’ www.irishtimes.com/sport/athlet...

Sophie O’Sullivan breaks her mother Sonia’s 31-year-old record in runaway 1,500m win

Rhasidat Adeleke set Morton Stadium alight on Saturday when securing the 200m qualifying time for the European Championships

irishtimes.com

Master of diplomacy. ‘Although they are understood to be furious, [about Jacobson yellow card] Farrell said: “There’s incidents all over the field tonight that you could talk about and we’re not able to do that, so I’ll pass on that one’. www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/...

Andy Farrell bites his tongue on officiating following Ireland’s loss to New Zealand

Officials at Eden Park ruled Luke Jacobsen should only receive a yellow card for launching himself at Josh van der Flier and sticking elbow out

irishtimes.com

‘Use of AI has raised concerns among some workers, but others expect benefits. Better work-life balance anticipated by 29% while 27% say it could free up more time for creative & strategic thinking & enable more flexible hours to accommodate family commitments. www.irishtimes.com/business/202...

AI ‘co-workers’ expected within three years, survey finds

Around 40% of employees in Ireland think the technology will make work more efficient

irishtimes.com

US: ‘AI decision-making in the workplace is becoming fraught as employees raise concerns about bias, privacy & trust, & regulators scrutinise the legality of such tools. Some states, have passed laws seeking to protect workers from “automated decision systems”. www.irishtimes.com/world/2026/0...

Meta employees who sought leave were tagged by AI for mass lay-offs, lawsuit claims

Action filed in California alleges AI tools and keystroke- and activity-monitoring data were used to pinpoint who to lay off

irishtimes.com

‘A hero’s return for Pico Lopes and near certainty that Shamrock Rovers will reach the Uefa Conference League group stage for a 3rd straight season. Rovers were exceptional from start to finish, overturning a 2-0 deficit against the Maltese champions.’ www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...

Shamrock Rovers hit Floriana for five as Pico Lopes makes hero’s return

Byrne and Burke exceptional as Irish champions overturn deficit in Champions League qualifier

irishtimes.com

“The magic of being the Liverpool manager,” It was Iraola’s humility that made the biggest impression. Without fanfare he promised not to change as a result of landing the biggest job of his coaching career and also to connect with club and city alike.’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘I need to prove I belong here’: Andoni Iraola stays humble in new Liverpool era

The head coach has no illusions as to the scale of the task and wants to start by reconnecting the team and supporters

theguardian.com

‘Fan conspiracy theories about officiating are one of the most tedious aspects of the modern game, usually rooted in 50-50 decisions that have gone against their team. It has created a climate when perfection is demanded & there is no room for human error’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Football without faith is nothing so Infantino is playing with fire at World Cup | Jonathan Wilson

Swirl around Fifa’s machinations and about big team and big name bias creates doubt – and that’s a dangerous game

theguardian.com

‘UK Police investigating donations worth £500k made to Reform UK by the mother of a convicted fraudster & ally of Farage, George Cottrell. The investigation concerns 2 donations of £250,000 as possibly intended to conceal donation by an impermissible donor. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Police investigate £500,000 Reform donations from mother of fraudster who backed Farage

George Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, at centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donations

theguardian.com

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Kylian Mbappe has fired France into a second-half lead against Morocco with a wonderful finish. The goal, Mbappe’s eighth of the tournament, draws him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. nyti.ms/4ftB6pi

Mbappe goal puts France in front against Morocco in World Cup quarterfinal: Live updates

Kylian Mbappe has fired France into a second-half lead with a wonderful finish.

nyti.ms

‘For perhaps the first time Farage must tackle uncomfortable questions. Why did Harborne give him so much money? What was it spent on? How many homes does he own? Can a self-styled man of the people live on largesse of wealthy & sometimes shady friends?’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Farage is likely to win in Clacton but can his credibility survive? | Peter Walker

While the Reform leader casts himself as the victim questions about his finances are unlikely to disappear

theguardian.com

-A living wage -Guaranteed healthcare -The right to join a union -The right to vote -The right to choose when, how, and with whom you start a family -The right for you and your family to live free from gun violence Remember: These are the foundations of real freedom.

Rumours that Farage is growing weary of leading Reform UK after the bruising scandal about a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire. He is also facing questions about whether his lifestyle has been partly funded by a friend & convicted fraudster, George Cottrell’. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

Could Farage quit? Questions swirl over Reform UK leader’s future

Leader is under pressure over £5m gift, byelection losses and rise of rival Restore but allies say exit speculation is ‘wishful thinking’

theguardian.com

It would have been interesting to hear Donald Trump, master of pronunciation, having a go at referring to the anniversary as the semiquincentennial.

‘UK Employment Rights Act ‘has merely brought UK into line with other countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the club for industrialised economies.’ Minister Kate Deardon www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jun...

Minister defends changes to UK workers’ rights against costs backlash

Kate Dearden says reforms such as enhanced sick pay simply bring UK into line with other big economies

theguardian.com

‘In the last 10 years, Brexit has added further instability, caused the suspension of Stormont & has deepened unionists’ sense of insecurity. For many, Brexit has not strengthened their place in the UK, but has weakened it by creating a border in the Irish Sea.’ www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

‘It was all lies’: Brexit remorse in Northern Ireland

For many, leaving the EU has not strengthened their place in the UK, but weakened it by creating a border in the Irish Sea

irishtimes.com

‘Turning fiction into fact is what Musk the mogul does. It’s also what Musk the incendiary does. There is no wall of separation between the fairy tales Musk spins for gullible investors & the horror stories he lobs into anti-immigrant riots in Ireland & Britain.’ www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...

Fintan O'Toole: Elon Musk conjures up a fantasy for Wall Street and a nightmare for Belfast

Dazzled SpaceX investors and frenzied brick-throwing boys in Belfast are all swallowing his dark fantasies

irishtimes.com

An unusually beautiful evening in Donegal! After an earlier visit by boat to the majestic Sliabh Liag cliffs. Tír Chonaill álainn.