Starmer's stormy first year ends in crisis - now he faces a bigger battle to turn it around

European leaders hit another roadblock in their efforts to punish Russia, as Hungary and Slovakia dug in their heels against new sanctions and a plan to cut off Russian energy imports. Meanwhile, in a completely unrelated but shocking development, Norwegian police wrapped up a high-profile investigation into the crown princess’s son, who’s accused of multiple rapes and other serious crimes.

Editor’s Note: The EU’s struggle to present a united front against Russia shows how complex the war’s fallout really is—even among allies, there’s friction over how far to go. And the Norwegian royal scandal? A stark reminder that privilege doesn’t always shield you from accountability, even if the cases are worlds apart. Both stories underscore how power, whether political or inherited, keeps making messy headlines.

Lebanon’s prime minister is furious over Israeli airstrikes near Nabatieh, calling them a blatant violation of last November’s ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister says U.S. strikes on Iranian sites have made potential nuclear talks even messier, admitting the attacks did real damage. This all unfolds against the shaky backdrop of the 2015 nuclear deal, which the U.S. was part of before things fell apart.

Editor’s Note: The Middle East’s fragile stability keeps getting rattled—this time by fresh Israeli strikes and Iran’s frustration with the U.S. It’s not just about who hit whom; it’s about how these clashes could derail already strained diplomacy, from regional ceasefires to nuclear talks. For anyone hoping tensions might cool, this is a grim reminder that the opposite is happening.

Glastonbury Festival is in full swing, and the Guardian’s team is on the ground covering all the action—from Lorde and Wet Leg’s performances to surprise secret sets and unforgettable moments like Four Tet and Floating Points’ epic back-to-back DJ session. Expect live updates, quirky sightings, and plenty of festival vibes.

Editor’s Note: Glastonbury isn’t just a festival; it’s a cultural moment where music, spontaneity, and collective joy collide. For fans who couldn’t make it, live coverage like this brings the experience to them—highlights, surprises, and all. Plus, it’s a reminder of how live music can create magic after years of disrupted events.

A 45-year-old man from County Tyrone, Damien Heagney, was murdered and his body later found in a reservoir. The perpetrator has been sentenced to at least 24 years in prison, closing a grim case that began when Heagney was last seen alive in December 2021.

Editor’s Note: This story is a sobering reminder of the lasting impact of violent crime—both for victims' families and communities. The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of the crime, but it also underscores the tragedy of a life cut short. For locals, it’s a resolution to a case that’s likely been hanging over the area for years.

The EU is putting Meta on notice—its new "pay or consent" model, which forces users to either pay for an ad-free experience or agree to personalized ads, might land the company in hot water. European regulators say this approach could violate digital competition rules, potentially resulting in daily fines. It’s part of a broader effort to rein in Big Tech’s dominance and give smaller competitors a fair shot, even as the U.S. pushes back on the EU’s aggressive stance.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Meta—it’s a sign of how far the EU is willing to go to keep tech giants in check. If the fines stick, it could force major changes in how companies monetize user data, setting a precedent for stricter rules worldwide. For users, it might mean more transparency and choice, but for Meta, it’s another costly headache in an already rocky relationship with regulators.