US public still favours action on climate change despite Trump’s fossil fuel drive 17. June 2026 (14:00) Two-thirds of Americans say they are worried about climate but level of media coverage does not reflect thisUS political and media discourse has drifted away from the climate crisis amid a frontal assault by Donald Trump upon policies to limit global heating and the president’s pugnacious demands to “drill, baby, drill” for more oil and gas.Yet while elite attention on climate has waned, even among some previously vocal Democrats who have wound back on criticism of the fossil fuels that are overheating our planet, the American public remains concerned about the climate crisis and continues to favour action to deal with it, according to experts and polling. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump abruptly halts confirmation process for Jay Clayton as US intelligence chief 17. June 2026 (13:33) Move will allow Trump’s controversial pick, Bill Pulte, to assume role and remain in place for at least several weeksSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump abruptly halted the confirmation process for Jay Clayton as the US’s top intelligence chief early Wednesday, in a move that will allow Trump’s controversial selection for acting director of national security, Bill Pulte, to assume the role and remain in place for at least several weeks until Clayton is confirmed.Trump pushed the Senate to confirm Clayton after his appointment of Pulte as acting director sparked bipartisan pushback and stalled his administration’s push for renewal of the controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC boss warns of compulsory redundancies as first phase of cuts revealed 17. June 2026 (13:12) Broadcast channels under review and 10% of senior leaders to go as part of drive to cut £500m in costsEntire BBC programmes will be scrapped and compulsory redundancies will be necessary as part of sweeping cuts at the corporation, the new director general, Matt Brittin, has told staff.The former Google executive also announced he was reviewing the BBC’s broadcast TV channels and radio network, as audiences continue to switch to online content. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Real estate event in London ‘advertised sale of land in illegal Israeli settlements’ 17. June 2026 (12:18) Pamphlets from event featured projects in West Bank and East Jerusalem despite previous denials by organisersAn Israeli real estate event in north London appears to have advertised the sale of land in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, despite previous denials that illegal settlement properties would be marketed at the event.Pamphlets shared with the Guardian from the event on Sunday showed real estate projects in Ma’ale Adumim, Givat Ze’ev, Kfar Eldad and Teneh Omarim in the occupied West Bank, as well as Ramat Eshkol and Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Forced adoption survivors to get full apology from UK government, says Phillipson 17. June 2026 (12:11) Education secretary describes historical practice in England as a ‘shameful period’ in country’s historyDowning Street is to make a full apology on behalf of the state to those affected by historical forced adoption in England, the education secretary has confirmed.Bridget Phillipson, giving evidence to MPs on the education select committee on Wednesday, described it as a “shameful period” in UK history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lululemon apologises after Japanese drum row at Great Wall yoga event 17. June 2026 (12:10) Online uproar follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese cultureThe activewear brand Lululemon has apologised after a promotional event held on the Great Wall of China appeared to mistakenly feature a Japanese drum, prompting an uproar.The Canadian-headquartered company, known for its upmarket leggings, has been growing rapidly in China and arranged for a yoga festival to take place in late May on a section of the wall near Beijing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: leaders at G7 issue joint statement calling for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Lebanon to secure US-Iran deal 17. June 2026 (11:49) Israel’s continued military operation in southern Lebanon puts at risk the agreement reached between Iran and the US on SundayFull report: Iran says peace deal dependent on Israel’s withdrawal from LebanonAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Meanwhile, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte hailed the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war, saying the planned reopening of the strait of Hormuz would be a “massive step forward”.“I know that many allies, through the initiative led by France and the United Kingdom, are ready to support,” Rutte told a press conference in Brussels.We welcome the announcement of a deal between the United States and Iran, secured under the strong leadership of President Trump, with the support of mediating countries, which provides an historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapon and tackling the threats related to its regional and ballistic activities. We support and are ready to contribute to its implementation.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live 17. June 2026 (11:48) The secretary general said the bloc continues to ‘face a dynamic security environment’Rutte says the adjustment in the US pledge to the Nato Force Model is “not primarily about where forces and assets are currently, but about who would do what if our defence plans were activated.”He says historically the model was “overly reliant” on the US.“You will likely have seen news adjusting its contributions to the Nato force model. In some cases, this has been cast as a problem, as the US pulling away from its allies, but that is not the reality. The US has made clear that it is committed to Nato.That commitment comes with an expectation that allies will more fairly share the responsibility for our security here in Europe.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vietnam police rescue hundreds of cats stolen for meat by animal crime ring 17. June 2026 (11:39) Major operation launched after spate of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City, according to local mediaPolice in Vietnam have rescued more than 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring in Ho Chi Minh City, according to animal welfare groups and local media reports.More than 40 cats were reunited with their owners after the multiday operation last week, but several dozen of those rescued have died due to the harsh conditions that they were found in, the groups said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour came to power with no big idea for relations with EU, says former top diplomat 17. June 2026 (11:27) Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, says party’s ideas did not ‘remotely measure up’ to challengeUK politics live – latest updatesLabour arrived in power with no big idea on the future relationship with the EU, a former British ambassador to Brussels has said.Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, said Labour presented “a ragbag of issues” on the EU in its manifesto, which didn’t “remotely measure up to the challenge of the times” and would “make no measurable difference to the UK macroeconomy”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
