Artist defends Churchill video at National Portrait Gallery after being accused of ‘barefaced lie’ 16. June 2026 (19:43) Helen Cammock says her comments blaming wartime leader for Bengal famine were intended to create ‘dialogue’ A Turner prize-winning artist accused of telling a “barefaced lie” about Winston Churchill in a video piece installed at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has defended her work, saying it was intended to create a “dialogue” about figures in the gallery’s collection.Helen Cammock’s 40-minute moving image piece called Persistence has been at the centre of a row about the role Churchill played in the Bengal famine of 1943. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship as they reach ‘a fork in the road’? 16. June 2026 (19:43) Prime minister faces prospect of going it alone against Iran as strategic interests of US and Israel are divergingIt took more than a day after news of Donald Trump’s deal with Iran went public for Benjamin Netanyahu to speak out.When he finally appeared at a press conference on Monday evening, the Israeli prime minister skirted a cornerstone of his past public appearances: his excellent relationship with the US president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s top envoy says peace deal with US dependent on Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon 16. June 2026 (19:22) Abbas Araghchi says war ‘not fully come to an end’ without Israeli forces leaving territories occupied during present conflictMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran’s top diplomat has said a peace deal with the US would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, as concern grows that Israel could undermine diplomatic efforts to finally end the Middle East war, with Donald Trump even criticising his ally and war partner as irresponsible.“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” said the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
From camel coats to guochao: Max Mara woos China’s luxury brand consumers 16. June 2026 (19:15) Fashion house pays tribute to Chinese style with its 75th anniversary catwalk show in Shanghai“New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Shanghai doesn’t even sit down.” For the British designer Ian Griffiths, who encountered this line in the New Yorker, it summed up why China’s biggest city was the right place to celebrate Max Mara’s 75th anniversary.“Max Mara is a product for metropolitan women, and it would be patronising to assume that a metropolitan wardrobe should be western-centric,” Griffiths said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France to ditch Palantir’s AI data tools in favour of domestic provider 16. June 2026 (19:08) Move to ChapsVision is to avoid ‘strategic dependencies’, says PM amid concern about reliance on US-controlled toolsFrance’s domestic intelligence service is to ditch AI data tools from the US tech company Palantir in favour of a domestic provider in an effort to avoid “strategic dependency”, the prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has said.“We must use our own AI models; we cannot accept new strategic dependencies in the digital sphere,” Lecornu posted on social media. “We cannot rely on tools developed by foreign powers. France must have its own tools.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU and UK announce summit to discuss ‘reset’ in post-Brexit relations 16. June 2026 (19:02) Meeting was delayed over details of youth mobility scheme allowing under-30s freedom to work and study in each other’s territoryThe EU and the UK have announced they will hold their next summit to discuss the “reset” in relations between London and Brussels on 22 July.The summit, which will be held in Brussels, has been delayed several times, with talks over a youth mobility scheme allowing under-30s to work, travel or study in each other’s territory deadlocked in recent weeks, fuelling speculation the summit would be postponed until the autumn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cate Blanchett promises ‘creative rumpus’ in new role: Oxford professor 16. June 2026 (19:01) Oscar-winning actor hails ‘electrifying opportunity’ to present lectures and seminars in contemporary theatreThe Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett has promised to cause a “creative rumpus” in her latest role, as visiting professor at the University of Oxford.The Australian star is the latest in a long line of celebrated thespians to be appointed as the Cameron Mackintosh visiting professor of contemporary theatre at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US screwworm cases rise as outbreak spreads beyond initial contamination zones 16. June 2026 (18:55) Twelve animal cases have been confirmed so far among cattle, goats, sheep and a dog in Texas and New MexicoScrewworm cases are rising in the US as the outbreak spreads beyond the initial contamination zones.Twelve animal cases have been confirmed so far, a significant increase from the first case detected in a calf in south Texas on 3 June. The growing number of infections has alarmed agricultural experts, who warn that a wider outbreak could have serious consequences for the Texas beef industry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European parliament finally approves Trump tariff deal 16. June 2026 (18:00) MEPs agree to implement deal almost 12 months after it was proposed and just days before deadline of US threat to raise tariffsThe European parliament has given its final approval to implement last July’s tariff agreement with Donald Trump.Facing a threat of increased tariffs if the deal was not sanctioned by 4 July, MEPs agreed to approve the deal, with two main provisos. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russian frigate fires warning shots at British yacht in Channel – reports 16. June 2026 (17:34) Ministry of Defence investigates after shots apparently fired within 500 metres of vessel near Isle of WightThe Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots within 500 metres of a British yacht sailing a little over 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight.No injuries or damage have been reported by the yacht, which is continuing its journey. A boat from HMS Tyne has visited the yacht to gather details and check the crew are safe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
