GOOD MORNING. 

Here’s all the news you need to know to start the day.

New rules

1. The EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is designed to standardise immigration laws and policy across the European Union, has officially come into effect today.

The mammoth overhaul of the way EU countries manage immigration and asylum processing has been in the works for years – so what does it entail?

Belfast

2. The condition of the Belfast stabbing victim is “improving” and he could be woken from a coma within the next 48 hours.

Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in a stabbing attack on Monday which preceded two nights of disorder in Northern Ireland.

Déjà vu

3. Iran has said it has not reached a final decision on a deal to end the Middle East war – despite Donald Trump claiming an agreement could be signed in days and cancelling threatened strikes.

The US president said discussions and final points had been “approved by all parties involved”. 

Gas and electric

4. Rising energy prices are disproportionately affecting low-income households, and government supports aren’t targeted enough, new research shows.

Some of the poorest people in the country saw 3% of their household income eaten up by extra gas and electricity costs.

World Cup

5. The opening game of World Cup 2026 saw Mexico secure a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in a match featuring three red cards.

The co-hosts had been involved in seven matches, which either alone or jointly opened previous tournaments, but had won none of them.

Schadenfreude?

6. Meanwhile, substitute Oh Hyeon-Gu gave South Korea a winning start to the World Cup as they came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1.

The Czechs were playing in their first World Cup since 2006, after defeating Ireland and then Denmark in penalty shootouts to win their play-offs in March.

Lebanon

7. After three years of war, a terrible new normal has emerged in southern Lebanon as UN peacekeepers prepare to withdraw. Hannah McCarthy meets the residents trying to survive.

Canary Islands

8. Pope Leo XIV condemned “indifference” towards migrants during a visit to a port in Spain’s Canary Islands that symbolised the perils of deadly irregular routes to Europe.

Finally

9. After a week of on-and-off downpours and unsettled weather, Met Éireann is forecasting a dry and sunny weekend.