https://www.theguardian.com/us Latest US news, world news, sports, business, opinion, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:53:32 GMT 2026-06-26T00:53:32Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/26/phoebe-bridgers-lost-boys-review <p><strong>(Dead Oceans)</strong><br>The US singer took years off after becoming ‘world-weary’ of public life – and in the meantime, her silvery balladry reshaped pop. Her return is an ornate reinvention</p><p>In the press materials for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jul/24/phoebe-bridgers-review-cathartic-indie-superstar-helps-her-young-fans-emotionally-purge">Phoebe Bridgers</a>’ return, the 31-year-old US singer talks about taking time to make her third album after coming to feel “a little world-weary” about public life. Who could blame her? Bridgers became a figure of invasive parasocial behaviour from fans after her spooked, sad second album, 2020’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/21/phoebe-bridgers-punisher-review-confident-second-album">Punisher</a>, resonated with life under lockdown and made her a superstar. In recent years, young women making introspective and ornate indie-rock songs have risen to startling, pop star levels of fame and scrutiny – and none more so than Bridgers, her Boygenius supergroup with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, and their peer Mitski. When Bridgers was rumoured to be engaged in 2022, fans possessed by her devastating music rued her happiness; when she started a new relationship, the gossip mill churned. In 2023, she castigated the so-called fans who aggressed her in an airport while on the way to her father’s funeral.</p><p>Even her recent analogue return has prompted reactions that might have a less self-possessed artist wondering why they bother. Last month, mysterious posters started appearing in small towns across the US advertising surprise $1 Bridgers shows in intimate venues later that night, before a concluding gig at New York’s gigantic Madison Square Garden. Phones were banned, along with any kind of recording device, including pen and paper, to stop audience members from writing down lyrics from her third album and sharing them online. The backlash to this – some fans accused her of ableism – prompted its own backlash, a tiresome Russian doll of discourse that’s still dragging on.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/26/phoebe-bridgers-lost-boys-review">Continue reading...</a> Phoebe Bridgers Music Culture Indie Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:00:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/26/phoebe-bridgers-lost-boys-review Illustration: Frank Ockenfels Illustration: Frank Ockenfels Illustration: Frank Ockenfels Laura Snapes 2026-06-25T23:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/venezuela-earthquakes-destruction-visual-guide <p>Rescue efforts under way after buildings reduced to rubble in capital and along northern coast</p><p>Hundreds of people are feared to have died and thousands have been injured in Venezuela’s largest earthquake in more than a century.</p><p>Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit 39 seconds apart near the town of Morón.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/venezuela-earthquakes-destruction-visual-guide">Continue reading...</a> Venezuela Earthquakes Americas World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:52:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/venezuela-earthquakes-destruction-visual-guide Photograph: Ronald Pena R/EPA Photograph: Ronald Pena R/EPA Photograph: Ronald Pena R/EPA Camille Rodríguez Montilla in Caracas, Tom Phillips, Chris Michael and agencies 2026-06-25T15:52:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/the-bear-finale-review-disney <p>It’s won all the awards and now it’s going out in a blaze of comedy. Everything that could possibly go wrong for the restaurant does … but who cares when the fusion of tragedy and laughter is this good?</p><p>It may not be a gastronomic reference many midwestern gourmands would appreciate, but the last episode of the last season of The Bear was Marmite TV. Set in the back yard of the titular Chicago restaurant – transformed over the course of the show from a sandwich shop to a fine dining establishment by its talented and troubled head chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) – the season four finale consisted of the cast shouting over each other about their respective grudges, oscillating between rage and misty-eyed sentimentality. A naturalistic exchange of complex emotional truths? A rare opportunity to flesh out TV characters’ psyches away from the demands of an actual narrative? Maybe. Or a plotless, unpleasantly cacophonous half-hour designed to entertain no one besides those unhealthily invested in the inner lives of Carmy, his protege Syd (Ayo Edebiri) and their ragtag bunch of fictional colleagues? Yeah, I didn’t love it.</p><p>Whatever your perspective, it’s hard to deny that The Bear is one of the shows that best encapsulates what was so great and not-so-great about peak streamer-era TV. The brainchild of writer-director Christopher Storer, the series always prioritised thematic richness and indie movie melancholy over focus-grouped crowd-pleasing or hoary screenwriting convention. As a result, it walked the line between uncompromising integrity and tedious self-indulgence – something only possible during a period, now passed, when platforms considered pouring money into auteurish shows a price worth paying for cultural clout.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/the-bear-finale-review-disney">Continue reading...</a> Television The Bear Television & radio Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/the-bear-finale-review-disney Photograph: FX Photograph: FX Photograph: FX Rachel Aroesti 2026-06-25T15:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-trump-administration-is-calling-frozen-embryos-children <p>A document on an embryo adoption program may be marginal – but it marks an escalation in the pursuit of fetal personhood</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> quietly declared frozen embryos to be children last week. In a <a href="https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/167d140c-52a1-4ebb-99be-ecddf378082d/attachments/13b771a1-4ca4-4420-a526-efabdbccb0da/PA-EAA-26-001_EAA_NOFO.pdf?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">call for grant applications</a> related to a nearly 20-year-old program meant to raise awareness about <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/trump-rfk-abortion-hhs-fetal-personhood-ivf-embryo-adoption/">frozen embryo adoption</a>, the Department of Health and Human Services referred to frozen embryos <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-administration-quietly-redefines-embryos-184436471.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALZ6W9wLOpLBMOFyV-kuo4mNXimltiV7xqqI0zzk7pYz9izqkFNlp73f-toKwnOG3PKPLuQ-_rUfgWH-SdjpAxzfYd79VcVKuUZX8u8J0SWWOanw9KKhWnQ5oJ5R1wx89cuTxSFXLFGB06DFPOLJO4RQglYySvDfka2vk4j2fyy9&amp;guccounter=2">using the terms</a> “child” and “children”, calling for screening standards for frozen embryo purchasers to be raised to those applied to parents seeking to adopt actual children. The document refers to frozen embryos as “children who already exist and are in need of a family”.</p><p>The language is strange and conspicuous in context, even if that context itself may seem marginal: what the Trump administration has done here is change its phrasing in the guidelines for a longstanding and somewhat obscure grant program.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-trump-administration-is-calling-frozen-embryos-children">Continue reading...</a> IVF Trump administration Donald Trump Abortion Reproductive rights Women's health Health Women Society US politics US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-trump-administration-is-calling-frozen-embryos-children Photograph: Antonio Marquez lanza/Getty Images Photograph: Antonio Marquez lanza/Getty Images Photograph: Antonio Marquez lanza/Getty Images Moira Donegan 2026-06-25T10:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/us-fighter-pilot-strangled-woman-england-why-military-trial <p>Jacob Wulfson’s fellow airmen decided his fate after a court martial at RAF Lakenheath – a distressing week for Sarah Steele, the academic he assaulted</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/how-us-bypass-british-courts-military-crimes-uk">Explainer: how the US bypasses British courts to try its military over crimes in the UK</a></p></li></ul><p>When Sarah Steele woke up on the morning of 2 December 2023, she found herself in a pool of cold water in a bathtub. She was naked and in the apartment of an American fighter pilot she had met in person for the first time the night before. She was confused. Her head hurt, and so did her neck.</p><p>This was the account Steele, a British academic, provided to prosecutors. They later accused the pilot, Capt Jacob Wulfson, of drugging and strangling Steele in his apartment in the east of England, and penetrating her vagina with his penis without her consent.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/us-fighter-pilot-strangled-woman-england-why-military-trial">Continue reading...</a> US military UK criminal justice UK news US news Suffolk Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/us-fighter-pilot-strangled-woman-england-why-military-trial Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Harry Davies and Rob Evans 2026-06-25T05:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/anker-511-nano-3-usb-charger-prime-day-sale-deal <p>Anker 511 Nano 3 is the kind of charger you’ll want a few of, and for $12.34, you can afford to stock up during Prime Day</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/eero-6-mesh-wifi-router-sale">This clever router fixed my spotty home wifi – and it’s currently on sale</a></p></li></ul><p>A beefy USB charger with half a dozen ports can be great for charging your laptop, phone and even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/20/best-bike-lights-us">USB bike light</a> all at once, but the real heroes are the pocketable chargers small enough to always be around when you need them. That’s where the Anker 511 Nano 3 fits in.</p><p>When I <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/apr/05/best-usb-chargers">tested 22 different USB chargers</a> to find the best, this little charger easily took the crown for best budget charger thanks to its strong power delivery, compact size and a very hard-to-beat everyday price. That price just got better, though, with an Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">Prime Day deal</a> bringing it down from its usual $19.99 to just $12.34.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/air-purifiers-amazon-prime-day-sale">I tested the three best air purifiers to detox the air in your home - all on sale for Prime Day</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/anker-511-nano-3-usb-charger-prime-day-sale-deal">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Technology Gadgets Amazon Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/anker-511-nano-3-usb-charger-prime-day-sale-deal Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Mark Knapp 2026-06-25T15:00:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/supreme-court-immigration-rulings <p>Lawmakers and advocates condemn ‘disastrous’ decisions that allow Trump officials to strip away migrant protections</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email</a></p></li></ul><p>Lawmakers and immigration advocacy groups on Thursday sharply denounced two US supreme court rulings that allowed the Trump administration to strip certain immigration protections and fundamentally reshape the asylum system.</p><p>Dozens of groups, advocates and members of Congress called the court’s decisions “disastrous” and “cruel”, while the Trump administration, Republican lawmakers and anti-immigrant groups celebrated the rulings.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/supreme-court-immigration-rulings">Continue reading...</a> US immigration US Congress US politics US news World news Democrats Republicans US supreme court Trump administration Donald Trump Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:12:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/supreme-court-immigration-rulings Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images José Olivares 2026-06-25T19:12:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/california-billionaire-tax-ballot <p>Proposal to introduce one-time tax of 5% will go to voters in November after backers decline to withdraw measure</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/california-billionaire-tax-explainer">California’s billionaire tax, explained: what you need to know</a></p></li></ul><p>California voters will get to decide in November whether billionaires should pay a one-time 5% tax, after a deadline passed on Thursday for its backers to withdraw the measure.</p><p>The so-called billionaire tax is among the highest-profile ballot efforts in the US this year taking aim at rising wealth disparities, and is set to be one of the state’s most contentious ballot initiatives. It has already spurred tech moguls to pour millions of dollars into attempts to stop the proposal.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/california-billionaire-tax-ballot">Continue reading...</a> Technology California West Coast US news World news Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:14:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/california-billionaire-tax-ballot Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images Nick Robins-Early 2026-06-26T00:14:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/apple-price-hike <p>Company says it cannot shield customers from memory and storage chip costs – and iPhone hikes could be next</p><p>Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices on Thursday, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry’s data center buildout.</p><p>The move does not affect Apple’s cash cow, the iPhone. But it would take the starting price of the ⁠Neo, its lowest-priced laptop, from $599 to $699 mere months after launch.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/apple-price-hike">Continue reading...</a> Apple US news World news Technology Computing Gadgets iPad Tablet computers Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:46:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/apple-price-hike Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Guardian staff and agency 2026-06-25T23:46:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/japan-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live <p>⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/7pm EDT/12am BST/9am AEST<br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/world-cup-groups-permutations-round-of-32-usa-mexico-canada">Third-place table</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/bracketology-predict-a-path-to-world-cup-victory">Bracketology</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2026/table">Tables</a><br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/tunisia-v-netherlands-world-cup-2026-live">Follow live updates from Tunisia v Netherlands</a></p><p><strong>“If I have my permutations correct,”</strong> begins James Humphries, “Japan battering Sweden would mean Scotland are not <em>quite</em> out yet; but as this occurred to me I was reminded of a mate many years ago, at about six in the morning at a party, going: ‘At a certain point, you’re just running from the comedown’.</p><p>“‘Running from the comedown’ should incidentally be the title of the Official Authorised SFA Book about this campaign, but it bloody won’t be.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/japan-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Sport Football Japan Sweden Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:51:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/japan-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live Photograph: Alex Slitz/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Slitz/Getty Images Photograph: Alex Slitz/Getty Images Rob Smyth 2026-06-26T00:51:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/un-pauses-ship-evacuations-through-strait-of-hormuz-after-vessel-attack <p>International Maritime Organization says safety guarantees must be confirmed before ships can move again</p><p>A United Nations agency has paused the evacuation of ships through the strait of Hormuz after the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman following the passage of several tankers that used a route backed by the UN.</p><p>The head of the UN’s International Maritime Organization said on Thursday that the plan to move stranded ships out of the Persian Gulf through the strait would be on hold until the agency could confirm safety guarantees for the ships on the evacuation list and in the region.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/un-pauses-ship-evacuations-through-strait-of-hormuz-after-vessel-attack">Continue reading...</a> Strait of Hormuz United Nations Oman US-Israel war on Iran Shipping industry Iran Middle East and north Africa World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:23:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/un-pauses-ship-evacuations-through-strait-of-hormuz-after-vessel-attack Photograph: Reuters Photograph: Reuters Photograph: Reuters Associated Press 2026-06-25T22:23:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-watergate-richard-nixon <p>Vice-president declares admiration for 37th president and claims Nixon and Trump targeted by ‘deep state’ forces</p><p>JD Vance does not think the era-defining Watergate scandal would have lasted more than a single news cycle in today’s fragmented, hyper-partisan political environment – and certainly would not have led to a president’s downfall.</p><p>Speaking at the Richard Nixon presidential library in Yorba Linda, California, on Thursday to promote his new book, Communion, Vance discussed his spiritual journey from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/19/jd-vance-catholicism">atheist</a> to Catholic convert before declaring his admiration for 37th president.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-watergate-richard-nixon">Continue reading...</a> JD Vance US politics Republicans Richard Nixon US news World news Donald Trump Watergate Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:12:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-watergate-richard-nixon Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/AFP/Getty Images Lauren Gambino in Los Angeles 2026-06-26T00:12:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/rescue-teams-race-to-venezuela-amid-fears-thousands-killed-in-earthquakes <p>US among countries sending help to search for survivors on north coast, where dozens of buildings flattened</p><p>Rescue teams are racing to Venezuela’s shattered northern coast after almost simultaneous earthquakes reduced dozens of buildings to rubble, with thousands of people feared dead.</p><p>The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the defence department would help search and rescue teams deploy to the affected region after Venezuela’s main gateway, the Simón Bolívar international airport, near the capital, Caracas, was badly damaged by 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes less than 40 seconds apart, late on Wednesday afternoon.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/rescue-teams-race-to-venezuela-amid-fears-thousands-killed-in-earthquakes">Continue reading...</a> Venezuela Americas World news Earthquakes Trump administration Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:48:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/rescue-teams-race-to-venezuela-amid-fears-thousands-killed-in-earthquakes Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro, Camille Rodríguez Montilla in La Guaira and María de los Ángeles Graterol in Caracas 2026-06-25T16:48:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/reflecting-pool-national-park-service <p>Senior official alleges in court filing that damage included about ‘70 fence post tops thrown’ into the pool</p><p>A senior National Park Service (NPS) official has said a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was “cut with a sharp knife or razor” earlier this month, repeating Donald Trump’s claims of vandalism.</p><p>Frank Lands, the deputy director for operations for NPS, made the allegation in a <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242/gov.uscourts.dcd.292242.22.1.pdf">court filing</a> on Wednesday, as part <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/11/trump-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-makeover">of a lawsuit brought by a non-profit group</a> seeking to stop the US president’s renovation of the site.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/reflecting-pool-national-park-service">Continue reading...</a> Washington DC Donald Trump Trump administration US news US politics Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:25:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/reflecting-pool-national-park-service Photograph: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images Photograph: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images Photograph: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images Anna Betts 2026-06-25T18:25:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/rfk-jr-senate-testimony-samoa-visit <p>Kennedy repeatedly said 2019 Samoa trip had ‘nothing to do with vaccines’. An email from his then colleague says they were on a vaccine-related ‘mission’</p><p>New evidence has emerged that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F Kennedy Jr</a> was on a vaccine-related “mission” when he visited Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak in 2019, raising further questions about whether the US health secretary lied to the US Senate when he said the trip had “nothing to do with vaccines”.</p><p>Records obtained by the Guardian show Kennedy’s colleague told Samoan officials in an email that he and Kennedy were coming as part of a mission to study the island nation’s medical records in the aftermath of a “discontinuity in vaccinations”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/rfk-jr-senate-testimony-samoa-visit">Continue reading...</a> Robert F Kennedy Jr Trump administration Vaccines and immunisation US healthcare Health Samoa US news US politics Asia Pacific World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:31:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/rfk-jr-senate-testimony-samoa-visit Photograph: Misiona Simo/AP Photograph: Misiona Simo/AP Photograph: Misiona Simo/AP Michelle R Smith 2026-06-25T19:31:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/25/disney-brendan-carr-fcc-investigation <p>Disney-owned ABC launched awareness campaign about two FCC investigations it faces, urging viewers to write in</p><p>Brendan Carr, the Trump-aligned chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has accused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/walt-disney-company">Disney</a> of running a “campaign of misinformation” as the media group defends itself against investigations the regulator has initiated.</p><p>Disney-owned ABC launched a public awareness campaign earlier this week to encourage viewers to back the network as it faces two separate investigations before the US media regulator.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/25/disney-brendan-carr-fcc-investigation">Continue reading...</a> ABC Media Business Walt Disney Company US television industry Television industry Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:21:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/25/disney-brendan-carr-fcc-investigation Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters Jeremy Barr in Washington 2026-06-25T19:21:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/25/monsanto-supreme-court-pesticide-case <p>The case, Monsanto v Durnell, specifically dealt with claims that the company failed to warn users of product risks</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/jun/25/trump-housing-bill-senate-regulations-supreme-court-latest-news-updates">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-supreme-court">supreme court</a> has found in favor of the former Monsanto company in a ruling that is expected to block thousands of lawsuits filed by people alleging the key ingredient in the weed killer Roundup causes cancer.</p><p>The decision was made in a 7-2 vote, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh offering the majority opinion and Justice <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a> writing the dissenting opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/25/monsanto-supreme-court-pesticide-case">Continue reading...</a> US supreme court Monsanto Bayer Herbicides Pesticides Farming Environment Business US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:50:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/25/monsanto-supreme-court-pesticide-case Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Carey Gillam and Dharna Noor 2026-06-25T15:50:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/elizabeth-warren-trump-mergers <p>Exclusive: US senator suggests architects behind ‘frenzy’ of blockbuster corporate deals have ‘badly miscalculated’</p><p>The Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren has warned that corporate mergers approved by the Trump administration – including a pending deal that would put two of America’s largest news outlets under the control of a family sympathetic to the president – could be undone by a future administration.</p><p>“After 2028, we’ll have new players in Washington, and everyone who’s engaged in this merger frenzy right now is aware of that,” Warren said in an interview.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/elizabeth-warren-trump-mergers">Continue reading...</a> Elizabeth Warren US politics Democrats Mergers and acquisitions US news Business Trump administration Media CBS World news US television industry Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/elizabeth-warren-trump-mergers Photograph: Douliery Olivier/ABACA/Shutterstock Photograph: Douliery Olivier/ABACA/Shutterstock Photograph: Douliery Olivier/ABACA/Shutterstock Chris Stein in Washington 2026-06-25T09:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/25/the-world-cup-pride-match-iran-and-egypt-tried-to-stop-video <p>Seattle’s World Cup committee is pushing forward with “Pride Match” celebrations this week despite backlash from Egypt and Iran, who have called for the cancellation of LGBTQ+ rights festivities around the game.</p><p></p><p>Last year, Seattle’s local organising committee, which is separate from Fifa, made plans for 26 June to be a Pride-themed match coinciding with the city’s annual Pride weekend.</p><p></p><p>In December, Egypt and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/iran">Iran</a> were drawn to play each other on that date in Seattle, causing a swift firestorm and condemnation from the two countries, as Sam Levin explains</p><p></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/seattle-pride-match-world-cup-egypt-iran"><strong>Seattle prepares for unlikely matchup as its World Cup Pride celebration: Egypt v Iran</strong></a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/25/the-world-cup-pride-match-iran-and-egypt-tried-to-stop-video">Continue reading...</a> Pride Seattle US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:00:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2026/jun/25/the-world-cup-pride-match-iran-and-egypt-tried-to-stop-video Photograph: The Guardian Photograph: The Guardian Photograph: The Guardian Sam Levin Stephen Byrne Tom Stevens Nikhita Chulani 2026-06-25T18:00:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/25/britain-six-prime-ministers-since-2016-cameron-starmer-ranked <p>From Cameron’s Brexit exit to Starmer’s Burnham bow-out, half a dozen PMs have gone. So who’s the best of the bunch?</p><p>The UK has had six prime ministers in the last 10 years – with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/23/burnham-and-starmer-hold-frosty-meeting-to-thrash-out-transition-of-power">seventh likely to be in place</a> by as early as mid-July.</p><p>John Crace ranks those who have been booted out of Downing Street between 2016 and 2026.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/25/britain-six-prime-ministers-since-2016-cameron-starmer-ranked">Continue reading...</a> Politics Labour Keir Starmer David Cameron Rishi Sunak Theresa May Liz Truss Boris Johnson Labour party leadership Conservative leadership Conservatives UK news Brexit Foreign policy European Union Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/25/britain-six-prime-ministers-since-2016-cameron-starmer-ranked Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Aaron Chown/Andrew Matthews/James Manning/Kirsty O'Connor/PA Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Aaron Chown/Andrew Matthews/James Manning/Kirsty O'Connor/PA Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Aaron Chown/Andrew Matthews/James Manning/Kirsty O'Connor/PA John Crace 2026-06-25T15:00:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-iran-peace-deal <p>Vice-president, leading a foundering peace deal to end the kind of war he’s opposed in the past, is left holding the bag</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/jd-vance">JD Vance</a> has taken the greatest gamble of his vice-presidency by making himself the face of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran">Iran</a> ceasefire deal – a shaky agreement that already seems to be unraveling at the seams.</p><p>But after months spent in limbo due to the war, it may be the best chance for him to find his feet again.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-iran-peace-deal">Continue reading...</a> JD Vance US-Israel war on Iran Donald Trump Trump administration Iran US politics US news Middle East and north Africa World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:46:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-iran-peace-deal Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Andrew Rothin Washington 2026-06-25T09:46:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/california-thrive-act-gun-violence <p>The Thrive Act will create a pilot program that offers mental health resources for shooting survivors and witnesses under 25</p><p>When Marvin Pérez and his family moved from their home country of Guatemala to Oakland, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california">California</a>, he thought it would lead to a better life for them all. But two years ago, when he was 23, Pérez was walking home from a store just four blocks from his family’s house. Someone drove past him and shot at Pérez multiple times, hitting him in his left leg.</p><p>His physical recovery was difficult. The bullet couldn’t be removed and remains lodged inside the leg. Pérez spent about three months doing physical therapy and resting at home, which meant he couldn’t play soccer, his favorite pastime. The mental toll he endured, however, was far tougher. During the day, all he could think about was the shooting, and when he slept, he had nightmares about what happened to him. It was made even harder by the fact that he felt as if he didn’t have anyone he could share these feelings with.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/california-thrive-act-gun-violence">Continue reading...</a> Mental health California West Coast Health US news Children Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/california-thrive-act-gun-violence Photograph: Brontë Wittpenn/AP Photograph: Brontë Wittpenn/AP Photograph: Brontë Wittpenn/AP Ricky Rodas in Los Angeles 2026-06-25T13:00:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/chico-california-library-shooting <p>Teen fatally shot two people on Monday at library in Chico, which has seen deadly wildfires and nearby shootings</p><p>Even before a teenager strolled into the public library in Chico where police say he fatally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/chico-library-shooting-northern-california">shot two people</a> on Monday afternoon, this building stood apart in the northern <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california">California</a> community.</p><p>It is the only public library that serves the city of about 107,000 people, and most residents have some connection to it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/chico-california-library-shooting">Continue reading...</a> California Gun crime US gun control US news World news West Coast Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:35:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/chico-california-library-shooting Photograph: Dani Anguiano/The Guardian Photograph: Dani Anguiano/The Guardian Photograph: Dani Anguiano/The Guardian Dani Anguiano in Chico 2026-06-24T21:35:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/yosemite-visitor-dies-nevada-fall <p>Josue Baires Alfaro, 22, identified as victim in Nevada Fall incident that nearly claimed life of woman who tried to help</p><p>A 22-year-old visitor to Yosemite national park in California died after he was swept over a 594ft-high (181 metre) waterfall on Saturday, officials confirmed this week.</p><p>A fellow parkgoer, Freesia Gaul, was capturing a photo when she noticed the man, reportedly identified by local authorities as Josue Baires Alfaro, in the Merced River.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/yosemite-visitor-dies-nevada-fall">Continue reading...</a> California West Coast US news San Francisco World news Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:04:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/yosemite-visitor-dies-nevada-fall Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Uwa Ede-Osifo 2026-06-24T21:04:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/gun-violence-homicide-siblings <p>When André Robinson Jr was shot and killed in Oakland in 2020, his family was upended – how do siblings navigate the fallout from violent loss?</p><p>The Robinson family once looked forward to Sundays. It was the day they would gather with dozens of their closest relatives and friends to eat, laugh and catch up. “Sunday was the day that we cherished the most,” said RoShanda Robinson, the oldest child in the family.</p><p>But in the fall of 2020, these get-togethers abruptly stopped. A day that used to include bountiful meals and booming laughter suddenly became a painful reminder of life-changing loss.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/gun-violence-homicide-siblings">Continue reading...</a> California US gun control West Coast US news World news Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/gun-violence-homicide-siblings Photograph: Felix Uribe/The Guardian Photograph: Felix Uribe/The Guardian Photograph: Felix Uribe/The Guardian Abené Clayton in Antioch, California, with photographs by Felix Uribe 2026-06-23T11:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/air-purifiers-amazon-prime-day-sale <p>Winix, Shark and Dyson all make air purifiers that can improve the quality of air in your home – and they have great Prime Day discounts</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>When it comes to your health at home, air quality is not a factor to overlook. Pollen, smoke, pet dandruff and cooking fumes are all particulates that can affect your home’s hygiene. And if you live in affected parts on the US, climate change is making wildfire season more intense, adding <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/04/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-ozone">more ozone</a> at ground level.</p><p>Lots of air purifier brands promise to improve <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/air-pollution">air quality</a>, but hide their performance behind jargon. But don’t worry, I’ve got over a decade of experience testing air purifiers, both in a home and lab setting, to help you cut through the marketing haze.</p><p>A pre-filter that prevents pet and human hair from prematurely clogging the main filter</p><p>A HEPA or HEPA-like filter that removes fine particulates from the air</p><p>A carbon medium for dealing with odors</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/air-purifiers-amazon-prime-day-sale">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Air pollution Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:15:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/air-purifiers-amazon-prime-day-sale Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Jon Chan 2026-06-25T19:15:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/armageddon-physicist-carlo-rovelli-nuclear-apocalypse <p>In a chilling new book, theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli says we’re back on the brink – and this time, leaders chronically lack the nous of Kennedy and Khrushchev. So why is he against rearming?</p><p>Should European members of Nato be rearming in the face of the Russian threat? And if not, I ask Carlo Rovelli, why not? The Italian theoretical physicist seems a good person to answer these questions since his timely new book, 85 Seconds to Midnight, is subtitled A Physicist’s Argument against Rearmament.</p><p>Rovelli, 70, brown eyed, genial, with enviably luxuriant grey locks, removes his glasses before answering. “The idea of the Russian military being a threat to Europe is ridiculous. Russia can’t even get to Kyiv! A few years ago, Russia had 4% of the world’s military spending and Nato had 40%.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/armageddon-physicist-carlo-rovelli-nuclear-apocalypse">Continue reading...</a> Books Science Nuclear weapons Physics Weapons technology Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/armageddon-physicist-carlo-rovelli-nuclear-apocalypse Photograph: GraphicaArtis/Getty Images Photograph: GraphicaArtis/Getty Images Photograph: GraphicaArtis/Getty Images Stuart Jeffries 2026-06-25T04:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/26/my-father-left-my-mother-for-another-woman <p>He’s decided he wants to be with her, writes <strong>Eleanor Gordon-Smith</strong> – this means choosing between what feels fair and what’s best for your relationship</p><ul><li><p>Read more <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/leading-questions">Leading questions</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>My parents got divorced four years ago, at which point my brother and I were both in our 40s, and our parents almost 70. </strong><strong>They broke up after my mother discovered that my dad had been having an affair. The feeling of letdown was enormous, as if our father had suddenly become this person we didn’t recognise. He had always taught us to be fair and honest, and this made us question everything.</strong></p><p><strong>My brother and I have made a lot of effort to keep him included in our lives since then, especially for the sake of his grandchildren. However, we’ve only had one demand – that we get to see him alone. The Other Woman still feels like the cause of the breakup of our family. I feel an enormous amount of hurt and resentment about the lies and deceit, but I’ve made a conscious effort to not wipe out his positive impact on my life up to that point.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/26/my-father-left-my-mother-for-another-woman">Continue reading...</a> Australian lifestyle Divorce Life and style Family Parents and parenting Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/26/my-father-left-my-mother-for-another-woman Photograph: Alamy Photograph: Alamy Photograph: Alamy Eleanor Gordon-Smith 2026-06-25T15:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/noelle-mcentee-real-estate-home-planning <p>Noelle McEntee wants to make estate planning easier and more inclusive – and she has some notes on what most people get wrong</p><p>Noelle McEntee wants you to know that wills and trusts are not just for old, rich people.</p><p>“You don’t need a butler and a wrought iron fence to need an estate plan,” she says. “If you have anything and you have people you love, even if what you have is very small, it still matters.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/noelle-mcentee-real-estate-home-planning">Continue reading...</a> Money Ageing US personal finance Life and style Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/noelle-mcentee-real-estate-home-planning Photograph: Courtesy Noelle McEntee Photograph: Courtesy Noelle McEntee Photograph: Courtesy Noelle McEntee Dana Miranda 2026-06-25T11:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/half-time-report-its-the-11-best-tv-moments-of-the-world-cup-so-far <p>From Merlin the duck to Thierry Henry’s panic and the goalie who broke the internet, here are the tournament’s most glorious TV moments</p><p>The schedule-dominating football tournament has reached its midway mark, which means it’s time for isotonic drinks, orange segments and in-depth TV analysis.</p><p>From weepy cult heroes to watery bloopers, from panto villain to potty-mouthed pundits, here’s our highlights of the World Cup coverage so far …</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/half-time-report-its-the-11-best-tv-moments-of-the-world-cup-so-far">Continue reading...</a> Television Culture Television & radio World Cup 2026 Gary Lineker Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:33:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/half-time-report-its-the-11-best-tv-moments-of-the-world-cup-so-far Photograph: Fox Photograph: Fox Photograph: Fox Michael Hogan 2026-06-25T12:33:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/jackass-best-and-last-movie-review <p>So-called final outing for Johnny Knoxville and his daring, stunt-hungry pals might be close to a greatest hits reel, but there are enough laughs to warrant the nostalgia</p><p>The boy-men of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jan/28/jackass-forever-interview-johnny-knoxville-jeff-tremaine">Jackass</a>, a three-season MTV comedy-stunt show turned periodic and beloved film series, have shown a willingness to engage in all manner of rectal probing in the name of shock laughs. (Perhaps most famously, Ryan Dunn, who died in 2011, inserted a toy car into himself before going in for an X-ray.) So it’s poignant to see the ageing crew take this to a natural next step in Jackass: Best and Last, where raspy-voiced fixture <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/20/jackass-steve-o-on-ageing-addiction-and-planning-a-face-tattoo">Steve-O</a> submits to a prostate exam – performed by a wisecracking robot, of course. Later, the gang ingests the drug used to flush out digestive systems before a colonoscopy, and then attempts to play Twister with a grim, scatological timebomb looming. Cameraman Lance Bangs, as always, attempts to contain his retching.</p><p>It would be a stretch to describe this fifth and allegedly final Jackass film as reflective about the ageing process, at least any more than its predecessors. Even its sense of finality has been hinted at before: way back in 2010’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/nov/04/jackass-3d-film-review">Jackass 3-D</a>, Weezer’s nostalgic song Memories blasted over end-credits footage of the guys throughout the years, and 2022’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/feb/02/jackass-forever-review-unstoppable-comedy-stunt-show-still-has-a-sting-in-its-tail">Jackass Forever</a> had a similarly valedictory tone. In Best and Last, someone goes so far as to tease ringleader <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/feb/14/johnny-knoxville-party-years-moral-panic-risking-it-all-jackass-mtv">Johnny Knoxville</a> about whether the audience can believe him about this being the last movie, given that he’s said that sort of thing before.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/jackass-best-and-last-movie-review">Continue reading...</a> Comedy films Comedy MTV Film Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/jackass-best-and-last-movie-review Photograph: Paramount Pictures/PA Photograph: Paramount Pictures/PA Photograph: Paramount Pictures/PA Jesse Hassenger 2026-06-25T13:00:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/josh-johnson-trump-zohran-mamdani <p>The Daily Show host discussed the power of Zohran Mamdani in New York primaries, Ken Paxton’s scandals and a ‘sauce craze’ for ranch dressing</p><p>On The Daily Show last night, Josh Johnson focused on an uptick in ranch dressing sales, the results of New York’s primaries and the different ways that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/zohran-mamdani">Zohran Mamdani</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a> are “kingmakers”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/josh-johnson-trump-zohran-mamdani">Continue reading...</a> Late-night TV roundup Television Culture TV comedy Comedy Television & radio Donald Trump Zohran Mamdani Bill Paxton US news Ken Paxton Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:15:38 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/25/josh-johnson-trump-zohran-mamdani Photograph: Comedy Central Photograph: Comedy Central Photograph: Comedy Central Guardian staff 2026-06-25T15:15:38Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/what-training-my-chaotic-dog-taught-me-about-power-control-and-human-beings <p>Our lovable yet unruly boxer Dusty forced me to wonder: if a dog has no morals, how do you teach it to be ‘good’?</p><p>When I carried my beautiful two-month-old puppy into our home for the first time, I couldn’t have imagined the scene six months later, as I led her through my local park experiencing such a toxic cocktail of emotions – guilt, regret, powerlessness – that I had tears in my eyes. It was a walk that many dog owners will recognise as having “gone badly”. My exuberant dog, Dusty, had approached another dog that did not wish to play with her. This shouldn’t have happened. I should have been able to call her back. Maybe I should have just kept her on the lead. Maybe I shouldn’t have got a dog in the first place.</p><p>Dusty started barking, jumping and circling the owner and her dog at high speed. “Do you want to have a dogfight?” the owner asked curtly, while I lunged around on the ground, all dignity jettisoned. “My dog just wants to play with yours,” I protested. “But mine doesn’t want to play,” she replied. “If you just let yours off the lead for a moment,” I countered, “I think mine would calm down. I promise you, she’s not aggressive.” Her reply: “So what do you call <em>this</em>?” Checkmate. As the seconds and then minutes passed, with Dusty still evading my reach, I began to wonder how long this might go on. Would the police have to be called?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/what-training-my-chaotic-dog-taught-me-about-power-control-and-human-beings">Continue reading...</a> Dogs Animals Life and style Pets Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/25/what-training-my-chaotic-dog-taught-me-about-power-control-and-human-beings Illustration: Anaïs Mims/Guardian Design Illustration: Anaïs Mims/Guardian Design Illustration: Anaïs Mims/Guardian Design William Davies 2026-06-25T04:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/tunisia-v-netherlands-world-cup-2026-live <p>⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/7pm EDT/12am BST/9am AEST<br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/world-cup-groups-permutations-round-of-32-usa-mexico-canada">Third-place table</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2026/table">Tables</a> | <a href="mailto:bryan.graham@theguardian.com">Mail Bryan</a><br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/japan-v-sweden-world-cup-2026-live">Follow live updates from Japan v Sweden</a></p><p><strong>1 min</strong> And off we go! The Netherlands kick off and they will attack from right to left in orange shirts and black shorts, while Tunisia are attacking from left to right in their all-white strips.</p><p>The Dutch fans have taken their positions inside Arrowhead … er, Kansas City Stadium. The players should be making their way through the tunnel for the national anthem any minute now.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/tunisia-v-netherlands-world-cup-2026-live">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Football World Cup Sport Netherlands Tunisia football team Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:50:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/tunisia-v-netherlands-world-cup-2026-live Photograph: François Nel/Getty Images Photograph: François Nel/Getty Images Photograph: François Nel/Getty Images Bryan Armen Graham 2026-06-26T00:50:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/26/turkey-v-usa-world-cup-2026-live <p>⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/10pm EDT/3pm BST/12pm AEST<br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/world-cup-groups-permutations-round-of-32-usa-mexico-canada">Third-place table</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/world-cup-2026-complete-player-guide">Player guide</a> | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2026/table">Tables</a> | And <a href="mailto:beau.dure@guardian.co.uk">mail Beau</a><br>⚽️ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/26/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-paraguay-v-australia-socceroos-updates-par-vs-aus-group-d-match-score-latest">Follow live coverage of Paraguay v Australia as it happens</a></p><p>And yet, there’s no Pulisic. The only holdovers from the Australia game are <strong>Weston McKennie</strong>, who gets the captain’s armband, and <strong>Ricardo Pepi</strong>, who deputized for the injured Pulisic.</p><p>Turkey make seven changes, noted in italics below.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/26/turkey-v-usa-world-cup-2026-live">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Football Sport World Cup USA Turkey Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:52:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/26/turkey-v-usa-world-cup-2026-live Photograph: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Photograph: Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Beau Dure 2026-06-26T00:52:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/ecuador-germany-world-cup-match-report <p><em>Sí, se puede</em> – yes, we can – was the chant that rang out from the 55,000 Ecuador fans as their team’s final group match kicked off. Despite a flat start to their World Cup campaign, there was a genuine belief that an upset against a full-strength Germany was possible. They had no other choice: having been shut out <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/21/curacao-ecuador-world-cup-group-e-match-report">by Eloy Room’s heroics for Curaçao</a>, Sebastián Beccacece’s side had to win to progress.</p><p>This time, a stirring performance earned <em>La Tri</em> a famous victory against an error-prone <em>Mannschaft</em>. Gonzalo Plata’s 77th-minute strike sparked wild and emotional celebrations, assuring their place in the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed team.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/ecuador-germany-world-cup-match-report">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 World Cup Ecuador Germany Football Sport Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:28:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/ecuador-germany-world-cup-match-report Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images Raphaël Jucobin at New York New Jersey Stadium 2026-06-25T22:28:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/pepe-at-the-double-as-cote-divoire-beat-curacao-and-claim-place-in-last-32 <p>Côte d’Ivoire surviving the World Cup group stage for the first time, in the year of our football gods 2026, is one of those titbits that sounds like it shouldn’t be true, and yet here we are. An underwhelming <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/curacao-v-cote-divoire-world-cup-2026-live">2-0 victory over Curaçao</a>, courtesy of Nicolas Pépé’s double, put the Ivorians through to the last 32 as Group E runners-up.</p><p>“Celebrate this historic qualification, like we should,” the Ivorian manager, Emerse Faé, told his compatriots afterwards. “Once we’re done celebrating, we want to go as far as possible in this competition. This is a young group. They’re all at their first ever World Cup. They’re playing well. There is a lot of solidarity in this group.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/pepe-at-the-double-as-cote-divoire-beat-curacao-and-claim-place-in-last-32">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Curaçao Côte d’Ivoire football team Football World Cup Sport Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:20:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/pepe-at-the-double-as-cote-divoire-beat-curacao-and-claim-place-in-last-32 Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Leander Schaerlaeckens at Philadelphia Stadium 2026-06-25T22:20:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/great-paradox-scotland-2026-world-cup-fans-team-steve-clarke-brazil <p>A mess against Brazil, Steve Clarke’s side are in purgatory, hanging around as a faint hope of a place in the last 32 lives on</p><p>The sad thing is that in a matter of weeks, this will all have been ­forgotten. The intensely tribal nature of Scotland’s football domain means that a new domestic campaign will lead to scratching, swearing and ­howling that will dominate for months on end. Some may argue it will be wise to banish thoughts of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/vinicius-junior-leads-brazil-star-cast-in-blockbuster-show-against-sorry-scotland">Scotland’s participation in this World Cup</a>. It should serve as a much-needed line in the sporting sand.</p><p>The psychological, societal and commercial benefits to Scotland have been borne out in recent weeks. Not only has the tournament captured hearts and minds in Scotland, but the Tartan Army has done likewise across the United States.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/great-paradox-scotland-2026-world-cup-fans-team-steve-clarke-brazil">Continue reading...</a> Scotland World Cup 2026 World Cup Football Sport Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:01:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/great-paradox-scotland-2026-world-cup-fans-team-steve-clarke-brazil Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock Ewan Murray in Miami 2026-06-25T18:01:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/erling-haaland-v-kylian-mbappe-how-the-norway-and-france-hitmen-match-up <p>Two of the best forwards in the game face each other in the World Cup on Friday. Their most dramatic contrast is in international football</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/golden-boot-world-cup-2026-top-goalscorers-winner">Golden Boot: World Cup 2026 top goalscorers</a><br>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/17/who-is-highest-goalscorer-world-cup-history-messi-mbappe">All-time World Cup goalscorers</a></p><p>Norway v France is arguably the most talent-loaded fixture in the World Cup group stage. Transfermarkt’s combined estimated market value of the two squads is higher than for any of the other 71 matches in this phase of the tournament. Yet the vast majority of the attention at Boston Stadium will be focused on just two men: Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who are already in the leading pack to win the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2026/jun/04/golden-boot-world-cup-2026-top-goalscorers-winner">World Cup Golden Boot</a> for top goalscorers, both scoring twice in each of their first two games.</p><p>They are very different types of forward. The Norwegian is the ultimate penalty area player, capable of finding space in the most dangerous spots where none appears to exist. His French counterpart is far more comfortable dribbling from wide areas, completing as many take-ons in two games as the Manchester City man does all season. Despite their contrasting styles, they have delivered near-identical output in Europe’s big five leagues since Haaland made his debut for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/erling-haaland-v-kylian-mbappe-how-the-norway-and-france-hitmen-match-up">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Erling Haaland Kylian Mbappé Norway France World Cup Sport Football Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:58:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/erling-haaland-v-kylian-mbappe-how-the-norway-and-france-hitmen-match-up Composite: Guardian Design; Fifa/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Fifa/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Fifa/Getty Images Andrew Beasley 2026-06-25T17:58:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/seattle-pride-match-world-cup-egypt-iran <p>Seattle’s World Cup committee is pushing forward with Pride Match celebrations this week despite backlash from the two teams involved on the field</p><p>Seattle’s World Cup committee is pushing forward with “Pride Match” celebrations this week despite backlash from Egypt and Iran, who have called for the cancellation of LGBTQ+ rights festivities around the game.</p><p>Last year, Seattle’s local organizing committee, which is separate from Fifa, made plans for 26 June to be a Pride-themed match coinciding with the city’s annual Pride weekend.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/seattle-pride-match-world-cup-egypt-iran">Continue reading...</a> World Cup Seattle Washington state Football LGBTQ+ rights West Coast Sport US news Egypt football team Iran World Cup 2026 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/seattle-pride-match-world-cup-egypt-iran Photograph: Steph Chambers/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Steph Chambers/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Steph Chambers/FIFA/Getty Images Sam Levin 2026-06-25T15:00:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/caitlin-clark-stephanie-white-wnba-refs-fever-mercury <ul><li><p>Mercury star made contact with closed fist during jostle</p></li><li><p>Fever coach slammed refs for ‘disrespectful’ no-calls</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/12/sign-up-for-wnba-30-a-limited-run-womens-basketball-newsletter">Sign up for the WNBA 30 weekly newsletter</a></p></li></ul><p>The WNBA has suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas after she hit Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in the throat with her fist during a game.</p><p>The play occurred in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s 111-109 road win by Phoenix. Clark was driving into the lane and fell on her side after contact. Thomas and Mercury forwards DeWanna Bonner dove for the ball, and in the jostle Thomas appeared to knee Clark in the groin. Her closed fist made contact with Clark’s throat as she fell. Clark managed to complete a pass to teammate Aliyah Boston as Thomas got up and stepped over her.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/caitlin-clark-stephanie-white-wnba-refs-fever-mercury">Continue reading...</a> WNBA Sport Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Phoenix Mercury US sports Basketball Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:43:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/caitlin-clark-stephanie-white-wnba-refs-fever-mercury Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images Guardian sport 2026-06-25T19:43:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/manchester-city-agree-british-record-130m-fee-with-nottingham-forest-for-elliot-anderson <ul><li><p>England midfielder eager to move to Etihad Stadium</p></li><li><p>Forest eye Lucas Bergvall as potential replacement</p></li></ul><p>Manchester City have agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign Elliot Anderson for £116m, a record for a British player.</p><p>Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, had insisted any deal for Anderson would have to eclipse the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/01/liverpool-sign-alexander-isak-british-transfer-record-125m-newcastle">£125m Liverpool paid</a> to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/manchester-city-agree-british-record-130m-fee-with-nottingham-forest-for-elliot-anderson">Continue reading...</a> Transfer window Manchester City Nottingham Forest England Football Sport Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:33:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/manchester-city-agree-british-record-130m-fee-with-nottingham-forest-for-elliot-anderson Photograph: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock Ben Fisher 2026-06-25T21:33:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/austrian-grand-prix-declared-heat-hazard-race-formula-one <ul><li><p>‘We’re working cohesively, more tight-knit than ever’</p></li><li><p>Austrian GP declared F1 heat hazard race amid heatwave</p></li></ul><p>Lewis Hamilton is confident he and Ferrari can build on their first win together at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix with the seven-time world champion bullish about how strong the team were and how comfortable he felt in the car heading into this weekend’s Austrian GP.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/14/lewis-hamilton-tastes-victory-at-last-for-ferrari-at-f1-barcelona-catalunya-gp">Hamilton won in Barcelona</a> to take his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/14/you-always-have-it-hamilton-breaks-f1-ferrari-drought-but-admits-he-doubted-himself">first victory for Ferrari</a> and his first since the Belgian GP in 2024. He delivered a superb drive on a three-stop strategy and took advantage of a well-timed safety car but Ferrari too, under the leadership of team principal, Fred Vasseur, were in fine form. Their upgrade package in Spain was revelatory as the car genuinely had the pace to compete with the championship leaders Mercedes. Hamilton is now in second place, 41 points behind the title leader, Kimi Antonelli.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/austrian-grand-prix-declared-heat-hazard-race-formula-one">Continue reading...</a> Formula One 2026 Lewis Hamilton Formula One Motor sport Sport Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:01:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/austrian-grand-prix-declared-heat-hazard-race-formula-one Photograph: Pauline Ballet/Formula 1/Getty Images Photograph: Pauline Ballet/Formula 1/Getty Images Photograph: Pauline Ballet/Formula 1/Getty Images Giles Richards at the Red Bull Ring 2026-06-25T17:01:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/lamelo-ball-hornets-timberwolves-trade-nba <ul><li><p>Charlotte get Naz Reid, seven draft picks</p></li><li><p>Minnesota also add guard Josh Green in swap</p></li><li><p>Ball to pair with fellow 2020 draftee Anthony Edwards</p></li></ul><p>The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade LaMelo Ball, their starting point guard, and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Thursday.</p><p>The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by ESPN, has yet to be approved by the league.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/lamelo-ball-hornets-timberwolves-trade-nba">Continue reading...</a> NBA Basketball US sports Sport Charlotte Hornets Minnesota Timberwolves Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:21:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/lamelo-ball-hornets-timberwolves-trade-nba Photograph: Nell Redmond/AP Photograph: Nell Redmond/AP Photograph: Nell Redmond/AP Agencies 2026-06-25T16:21:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/terrion-arnold-arrest-detroit-lions <ul><li><p>Accused of being ‘primary conspirator’ in targeted plot</p></li><li><p>Florida attorney: Potential sentence is up to life in prison</p></li><li><p>Team decline to comment on cornerback’s situation</p></li></ul><p>Detroit Lions starting cornerback Terrion Arnold has been arrested and is accused of being the ringleader in an armed robbery and kidnapping in Florida, and state prosecutors plan to charge him with multiple felonies.</p><p>Three men in their late teens were held at gunpoint, battered, pistol-whipped and robbed in Tampa on 4 February, and the 23-year-old Arnold was the “primary conspirator”, the Tampa police department said in a statement Wednesday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/terrion-arnold-arrest-detroit-lions">Continue reading...</a> NFL Sport US sports Detroit Lions Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:11:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/terrion-arnold-arrest-detroit-lions Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP Associated Press 2026-06-25T12:11:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/jaron-ennis-interview-philadelphia-boxing-xander-zayas <p>Ahead of Saturday’s title unification fight in Brooklyn, the unbeaten American talks about family legacy, putting on for North Philly and life as one of boxing’s most feared fighters</p><p>For years, boxing’s chattering class has treated Jaron “Boots” Ennis less like a champion than a prophecy. The next great one. The future pound-for-pound king. The fighter who one day would justify the steady hype that has followed him since he emerged as a teenager from Bozy’s Dungeon in North Philadelphia as one of the country’s top amateurs.</p><p>Even now, undefeated in 36 professional fights with 31 knockouts and world championships at two different weights, Ennis approaches Saturday night’s title unification bout with Xander Zayas at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in an unusual position: celebrated as one of the world’s most gifted fighters while still being discussed as though his breakthrough lies ahead.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/jaron-ennis-interview-philadelphia-boxing-xander-zayas">Continue reading...</a> Boxing US sports Sport Terence Crawford Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/jaron-ennis-interview-philadelphia-boxing-xander-zayas Photograph: Mark Robinson/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Robinson/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Robinson/Getty Images Bryan Armen Graham 2026-06-25T09:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/emma-raducanu-race-to-be-fit-wimbledon-tennis <ul><li><p>23-year-old spotted in protective boot on Wednesday</p></li><li><p>Raducanu’s last match was the final at Queen’s Club</p></li></ul><p>Emma Raducanu faces a race to be at full fitness for Wimbledon after her preparations for the tournament were disrupted by injury.</p><p>On Wednesday evening Raducanu was seen by Clay magazine leaving the All England Club wearing a protective boot on her right foot after not practising that day. She had been scheduled to train at midday on Thursday but did not practise for a second successive day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/emma-raducanu-race-to-be-fit-wimbledon-tennis">Continue reading...</a> Emma Raducanu Wimbledon 2026 Wimbledon Tennis Sport Jack Draper Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:24:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/25/emma-raducanu-race-to-be-fit-wimbledon-tennis Photograph: John Walton/PA Photograph: John Walton/PA Photograph: John Walton/PA Tumaini Carayol 2026-06-25T14:24:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/netanyahu-trump-iran-war <p>As long as Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, any deal between the US and Iran will be at risk</p><p>On 18 June, JD Vance stood in the White House press briefing room and<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/19/jd-vance-israel-iran-deal-critics"> tore into</a> Israeli critics of the Iran deal that his boss, Donald Trump, had signed the previous day. The vice-president argued that Trump was the only world leader who was still sympathetic to Israel after nearly three years of wars and destruction across the Middle East. “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government,” Vance said, “I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world.”</p><p>Vance also pointed out that, during the recent US-Israeli war on Iran,<a href="https://x.com/euronews/status/2067897588561404253"> two-thirds</a> of the defensive weapons used to protect Israel from Iranian retaliation “have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars”. Vance publicly scolded Israel’s leaders in a way they have rarely been criticized by a high-level US politician. And while Vance did not directly target his criticism at the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the subtext was clear: the Trump administration is willing to call out the Israeli leader for sabotaging ceasefire agreements so that he could prolong regional wars and maintain power.</p><p>Mohamad Bazzi is a Guardian US columnist. He is also director of the Center for Near Eastern Studies and a journalism professor at New York University</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/netanyahu-trump-iran-war">Continue reading...</a> US-Israel war on Iran Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Lebanon Iran Middle East and north Africa US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/netanyahu-trump-iran-war Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Mohamad Bazzi 2026-06-25T12:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/world-cup-big-sports-events-bring-us-together <p>Although fleeting, sporting events have the enduring power to crumble divisions and highlight the beauty of kinship</p><p>“The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat,” went the tagline for the long-running TV show <a href="https://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/dynamic/render?emc=edit_nn_20260620&amp;isViewInBrowser=true&amp;nl=the-morning&amp;paid_regi=1&amp;productCode=NN&amp;segment_id=221812&amp;sendId=221812&amp;uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F7ab8037d-13aa-5639-aaa4-ab03a7364862">The Wide World of Sports.</a></p><p>We’re all familiar with those rollercoaster emotions whether we follow professional football or dabble in sandlot softball.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/world-cup-big-sports-events-bring-us-together">Continue reading...</a> World Cup World Cup 2026 Sport New York Knicks Society Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/world-cup-big-sports-events-bring-us-together Photograph: Hannah Peters/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Hannah Peters/FIFA/Getty Images Photograph: Hannah Peters/FIFA/Getty Images Margaret Sullivan 2026-06-25T10:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/britain-new-prime-minister-andy-burnham-uk-rightwing-press <p>He’s almost certain to become the UK’s seventh leader in a decade. And with the rightwing press and the algorithm against him, he’s basically a meat sacrifice</p><p>Current state of British democracy: the guy who puts out the resignation lectern in front of No 10 is now so familiar that he has become a meme. On the internet, they call him <a href="https://www.euronews.com/culture/2026/06/23/who-is-the-mysterious-hot-podium-guy-the-viral-face-of-the-uks-political-turmoil">Hot Podium Guy</a>. William Hague’s old line about the Tory party being “an autocracy moderated by regicide” is now basically true of the country as a whole.</p><p>And so out Keir Starmer strides to give a speech that, in the grand tradition of Starmer oratory, occupies the curious liminal space between the instantly forgettable and the barely existent. What might comprise a Davina-style supercut of Starmer’s best bits? The time he described us as an “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/27/keir-starmer-says-he-deeply-regrets-island-of-strangers-speech">island of strangers</a>”, or blurted out that Israel <a href="https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/sir-keir-starmer-hamas-terrorism-israel-defend-itself-DWzhBf_2/">had the right</a> to starve Gaza of food and water? When your most memorable quotes were so poorly judged, perhaps it might be best for everyone if you put the microphone down for a while.<br> Not everyone is a natural public speaker, which on one level, of course, is fine. What Starmer craved above all was a <em>task</em>, a clear set of instructions and a solution. To him the British state was essentially an item of flatpack furniture: insert legislation A into complex social problem B, screw voter demographic C as tightly as possible, and if in doubt, call the handy 24-hour helpline to <a href="https://www.compassonline.org.uk/labour-apart-how-morgan-mcsweeney-levered-the-left-out-of-power/">speak to Morgan</a>.</p><p>Jonathan Liew is a Guardian columnist</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/britain-new-prime-minister-andy-burnham-uk-rightwing-press">Continue reading...</a> Politics Keir Starmer Andy Burnham Labour Labour party leadership UK news Media Newspapers Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/britain-new-prime-minister-andy-burnham-uk-rightwing-press Illustration: Sébastien Thibault/The Guardian Illustration: Sébastien Thibault/The Guardian Illustration: Sébastien Thibault/The Guardian Jonathan Liew 2026-06-25T07:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/france-charles-de-gaulle-film-free-france-nazi-occupation-politics <p>The man who led Free France during Nazi occupation was single-minded to the point of obstinacy. But he believed in his own power to make history</p><p>How much of our political agency have we sacrificed on the altar of imagined constraints? That question has been troubling me since last week, when I stepped out of the glitteringly art deco Grand Rex cinema in Paris. I had just been to see part one of La Bataille de Gaulle, a two-part epic based on British historian Julian Jackson’s extraordinary biography of Charles de Gaulle. Both Jackson and the film, which focuses on the second world war, present the towering French general as a combination of stubbornness, arrogance and genius.</p><p>As a mid-ranking two-star general, De Gaulle had little inherent claim to be the face of France in exile. For four years after fleeing to London in June 1940, he imposed himself next to Churchill, and then Roosevelt. He bullied his way in to top-table discussions thanks to an ego the size of a nation state: a nation state he himself would embody fully. “I recreated France from nothing, from being a man alone in a foreign city,” De Gaulle <a href="https://drb.ie/article/in-himself-an-entire-people/">wrote of his time in London</a>. Immodest, yes, but also right.</p><p>Alexander Hurst writes for Guardian Europe from Paris. His memoir <a href="https://guardianbookshop.com/generation-desperation-9781399728287/">Generation Desperation</a> is out now</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/france-charles-de-gaulle-film-free-france-nazi-occupation-politics">Continue reading...</a> Charles de Gaulle France Second world war Europe World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/france-charles-de-gaulle-film-free-france-nazi-occupation-politics Photograph: Malgosia Abramowska cinemargotka@gmail.comria/Malgosia Abramowska / Pathé Films - TF1 Films Productio Photograph: Malgosia Abramowska cinemargotka@gmail.comria/Malgosia Abramowska / Pathé Films - TF1 Films Productio Photograph: Malgosia Abramowska cinemargotka@gmail.comria/Malgosia Abramowska / Pathé Films - TF1 Films Productio Alexander Hurst 2026-06-25T04:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/summer-has-never-been-the-same-since-the-great-heartbreak-of-84 <p>At 17, I dreamed of impressing my first girlfriend with my knowledge of literature. Of course it all went laughably wrong</p><p>You’re probably enjoying long, hot summer days less than you used to. Apart from the roads and the rails melting and the sleepless nights, there’s that nagging feeling that we’re all going to hell in a handcart. Assuming, of course, that the handcart hasn’t packed up in the heat.</p><p>Until I was 17, I loved long summer days. I would be out for hours with my mates playing football, cricket and whatnot, or darting around woods and fields, secretly pretending I was one of the Famous Five. But then came a particular long, hot summer day, the scars of which for me have rather ballsed up all subsequent long, hot summer days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/summer-has-never-been-the-same-since-the-great-heartbreak-of-84">Continue reading...</a> Relationships Thomas Hardy Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/summer-has-never-been-the-same-since-the-great-heartbreak-of-84 Photograph: DT Images/Alamy Photograph: DT Images/Alamy Photograph: DT Images/Alamy Adrian Chiles 2026-06-25T10:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-view-on-eu-talks-with-the-taliban-selling-out-the-rights-of-girls-women-and-other-afghans <p>Five years after the fall of Kabul, European states are anxious to send migrants back – regardless of what it takes and what awaits them</p><p>Days after Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, the EU’s top diplomat stressed the need to protect women and girls. “Cooperation with any future Afghan government will be conditioned on … respect for the fundamental rights of all Afghans,” Josep Borrell <a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/17/afghanistan-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union/">pledged</a>. The regime’s attack on women’s rights began immediately, and has only intensified. The Taliban have barred girls from secondary school and university, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jun/23/taliban-new-marriage-law-afghanistan-families-daughters-abusive-relationships">legalised child marriage</a>, prevented women&nbsp;from travelling without a male guardian and excluded them from jobs, parks and bathhouses. Women have been literally silenced: their voices are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/01/afghan-women-sing-in-defiance-of-taliban-laws-silencing-their-voices">forbidden</a> from being heard in public, even from within their own homes.</p><p>A new criminal code introduced last year permits men to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/12/a-few-beatings-wont-kill-you-judge-rejects-divorce-request-of-woman-abused-by-husband-in-afghanistan">beat their wives</a>; even if women are able to prove the use of “obscene force”, a husband may still be sentenced to only 15 days in prison. (In contrast, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jun/03/afghan-woman-legal-protection-laws-eu-taliban-europe">harming an animal</a> could mean five months in jail.) And restrictions on work, movement and contacts are not merely oppressive. They are <a href="https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/talibans-decision-ban-afghan-women-working-united-nations-will-cost-childrens-lives">often deadly</a> in a country gripped by a humanitarian crisis. UN experts have <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230718164026/https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/07/experts-taliban-treatment-women-may-be-gender-apartheid">said</a> that this “widespread, systematic and all-encompassing” assault on women’s rights may amount to “gender apartheid”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-view-on-eu-talks-with-the-taliban-selling-out-the-rights-of-girls-women-and-other-afghans">Continue reading...</a> Afghanistan European Union Human rights Europe South and central Asia Taliban Women's rights and gender equality Women Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:54:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-view-on-eu-talks-with-the-taliban-selling-out-the-rights-of-girls-women-and-other-afghans Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty Images Editorial 2026-06-25T17:54:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/alligator-alcatraz-jail-closes-ron-desantis <p>Florida immigration jail that became byword for cruelty and cost state taxpayers $1.2m a day shuts down after a year</p><p>Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, boasted on Thursday of deporting 21,000 people from Alligator Alcatraz, as he confirmed the closure of the notorious immigration jail hastily erected in the Everglades that became a byword for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/13/alligator-alcatraz-south-florida-detention-center-closure">cruelty, human rights abuses</a> and environmental damage.</p><p>Standing beside Tom Homan, Donald Trump’s so-called border czar, at a press conference at the now dismantled site in Ochopee, in the environmentally sensitive region in south Florida, DeSantis presented its year-long operation as a victory for the president’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/alligator-alcatraz-jail-closes-ron-desantis">Continue reading...</a> Florida US news US immigration Ron DeSantis Trump administration Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:47:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/alligator-alcatraz-jail-closes-ron-desantis Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Richard Luscombe in Miami 2026-06-25T18:47:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/ron-wyden-senator-health-department-deportations <p>Wyden says in letter addressed to Robert F Kennedy Jr that HHS is preparing an ‘unprecedented legal framework’</p><p>The US senator <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ron-wyden">Ron Wyden</a> has accused the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of preparing to use what he describes as an “unprecedented legal framework” to deport more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children currently in the custody of the agency’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28324311-hhs-wyden-letter/">letter</a> addressed to the HHS secretary, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F Kennedy Jr</a>, Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said he had obtained “credible information” that the department was using a list of more than 500 children as targets for expedited removal under a new administrative process that he says lacks statutory authority. He called the reported initiative “deeply alarming” and urged HHS to immediately suspend any related screening or removal efforts.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/ron-wyden-senator-health-department-deportations">Continue reading...</a> Ron Wyden US Senate US news US politics Health policy Robert F Kennedy Jr Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:38:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/ron-wyden-senator-health-department-deportations Photograph: Moises Avila/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Moises Avila/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Moises Avila/AFP/Getty Images Marina Dunbar in New York 2026-06-25T17:38:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/king-and-queen-will-not-live-at-buckingham-palace-after-369m-refit <p>Charles and Camilla to remain at Clarence House and are said to want the public to have more access to ‘monarchy HQ’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/king-charless-tax-bill-what-did-we-learn-and-what-is-still-in-the-dark">King Charles’s tax bill: what did we learn and what is still in the dark?</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/crown-estate-1bn-profit-third-year-running-king-charles-offshore-windfarm-boom">Crown estate makes more than £1bn profit for third year running</a></p></li></ul><p>King Charles and Queen Camilla will not move into Buckingham Palace when £369m of buildings works to update it finish next year, preferring to remain at Clarence House, their London home nearby.</p><p>The announcement came as it was revealed the king paid £12.9m in income and capital gains tax in 2024-25 on his personal income, known as the privy purse, making him among the country’s top 100 taxpayers. Prince William paid £7.76m for the same period.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/king-and-queen-will-not-live-at-buckingham-palace-after-369m-refit">Continue reading...</a> King Charles III Queen Camilla London Crown estate Monarchy UK news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:07:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/25/king-and-queen-will-not-live-at-buckingham-palace-after-369m-refit Photograph: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Photograph: Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Caroline Davies, Rowena Mason and Juliette Garside 2026-06-25T21:07:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/whistleblower-sarah-wynn-williams-sues-meta-attempts-to-silence-her-careless-people <p>Former employee files complaint accusing company of ‘coercive surveillance’ and first amendment violation</p><p>The Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams is suing the tech company over its efforts to “silence” her.</p><p>A 57-page <a href="https://katzbanks.com/wp-content/uploads/SWW-Complaint.pdf">complaint</a> filed to a US district court in California on Thursday argues that an interim arbitration ruling sought by Meta preventing Wynn-Williams from publicising her memoir, Careless People, was “improper and unlawful” and a “blatant violation of the first amendment”. It also accuses the company of “coercive surveillance”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/whistleblower-sarah-wynn-williams-sues-meta-attempts-to-silence-her-careless-people">Continue reading...</a> Meta Facebook Technology US news World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:25:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/25/whistleblower-sarah-wynn-williams-sues-meta-attempts-to-silence-her-careless-people Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Photograph: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Ella Creamer and Michael Savage 2026-06-25T17:25:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/rembrandt-painting-was-altered-to-erase-turban-from-mans-head-restorers-find <p>Exclusive: Unknown hand covered up artist’s depiction of diverse crowd during influx of refugees to Leiden in 1620s</p><p>Layers of overpaint have been removed from a 17th-century painting, confirming that it was painted by Rembrandt and revealing that a turban on one of the figures had been replaced with a traditional Dutch soft cap.</p><p>A later anonymous hand had amended or sanitised Rembrandt’s original, apparently misunderstanding that its biblical theme – “Let the Little Children Come Unto Me” – is about tolerance, with Christ blessing children as well as adults. In the gospel of Saint Luke, Jesus rebukes his disciples for turning away parents who brought their children to him: “Suffer [allow] little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/rembrandt-painting-was-altered-to-erase-turban-from-mans-head-restorers-find">Continue reading...</a> Rembrandt Art Art and design Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/rembrandt-painting-was-altered-to-erase-turban-from-mans-head-restorers-find Photograph: Sotheby's Photograph: Sotheby's Photograph: Sotheby's Dalya Alberge 2026-06-25T17:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/renters-apartment-fees-call-for-action <p>Tenants push for tougher rules against unfair add-on charges. Industry players argue against policies that they say could limit the ‘effective use of fees’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/apartment-renters-rising-fees">‘Extremely overwhelmed’: apartment renters face rising tide of fees</a></p></li></ul><p>Across the US, many renters are calling for national action to stem add-on charges that increase their housing costs and increase their risk of eviction.</p><p>“The rental housing market is one where consumers have little power,” Farah Momin, a renter in Seattle, told the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in April. “Landlords can impose fees through take-it-or-leave-it lease terms, and the cost/disruption of moving means that tenants may absorb unfair charges rather than leave. Federal baseline protections are needed to level this playing field.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/renters-apartment-fees-call-for-action">Continue reading...</a> US news Housing US politics Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/renters-apartment-fees-call-for-action Photograph: Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images Photograph: Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images Photograph: Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images Tracie McMillan 2026-06-25T10:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/judge-blocks-trump-bid-restrict-mail-ballots <p>Ruling comes amid drive by Republican administration to reshape rules around voting ahead of midterms</p><p>The Trump administration’s plan to deny mail-in ballots to states that would not give their voter rolls to federal officials was blocked on Thursday morning by a federal judge in Boston.</p><p>US district judge Indira ⁠Talwani ruled that the provisions of an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ensuring-citizenship-verification-and-integrity-in-federal-elections/">executive order</a> issued by Donald Trump on 31 March requiring the postal service to require the use of a barcode tracking system for ballot envelopes tied to US Citizenship and Immigration Services data was unconstitutional.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/judge-blocks-trump-bid-restrict-mail-ballots">Continue reading...</a> Trump administration US voting rights US news US politics US Congress Donald Trump US midterm elections 2026 Postal voting Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:29:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/judge-blocks-trump-bid-restrict-mail-ballots Photograph: Allison Joyce/Getty Images Photograph: Allison Joyce/Getty Images Photograph: Allison Joyce/Getty Images George Chidi 2026-06-25T15:29:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/pentagon-military-recruits-flu-vaccine-outbreak <p>Move comes after Hegseth made shot optional for military in April and Texas outbreak has sickened nearly 300 people</p><p>The Pentagon has said that boot camps for all the military services are once again requiring the flu vaccination for all recruits after the defense secretary, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>, made the shot <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/18/lackland-air-force-base-flu-outbreak">optional for</a> the military at the end of April.</p><p>The development on Wednesday was confirmed by a Pentagon official to the Associated Press and came amid a growing, weeks-long, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/18/lackland-air-force-base-flu-outbreak">flu outbreak</a> at the US air force’s boot camp at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/texas">Texas</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/pentagon-military-recruits-flu-vaccine-outbreak">Continue reading...</a> US military Pete Hegseth Flu US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:38:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/pentagon-military-recruits-flu-vaccine-outbreak Photograph: Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman/129th Rescue Wing/US Air National Guard Photograph: Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman/129th Rescue Wing/US Air National Guard Photograph: Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman/129th Rescue Wing/US Air National Guard Associated Press 2026-06-25T13:38:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/harvey-weinstein-rape-charge-drop <p>Accuser declines to testify in fourth trial after May mistrial with prosecutors citing her ‘extraordinarily taxing ordeal’</p><p>Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday moved to drop a third-degree rape ⁠charge against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/harvey-weinstein">Harvey Weinstein</a> after the woman accusing the disgraced movie mogul of assaulting her said she did not want to testify in ⁠what would have ⁠been ​a fourth trial.</p><p>Weinstein’s third trial in New York state court over an allegation that he raped ⁠aspiring actor Jessica Mann ended in a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/15/harvey-weinsteins-new-york-mistrial">mistrial in May</a> after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/harvey-weinstein-rape-charge-drop">Continue reading...</a> Harvey Weinstein US crime New York US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:24:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/harvey-weinstein-rape-charge-drop Photograph: Adam Gray/POOL Bloomberg/AP Photograph: Adam Gray/POOL Bloomberg/AP Photograph: Adam Gray/POOL Bloomberg/AP Reuters 2026-06-25T17:24:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/highest-june-minimum-temperature-record-broken-cardiff-savage-heatwave-continues <p>Temperatures linked to third child’s death in France, where three-quarters of country is under extreme heat alert</p><p>The UK and Switzerland both recorded the hottest-ever June temperatures on Thursday,<strong> </strong>while brutally hot conditions supercharged by the climate crisis were linked to the death of a third toddler in France and a sharp rise in medical emergencies across Europe.</p><p>The UK’s new provisional high of 36.4C (97.5F), recorded in Yeovilton, Somerset, surpassed Wednesday’s June record of 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, which had beaten the previous peak of 35.6C set in Southampton in 1976.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/highest-june-minimum-temperature-record-broken-cardiff-savage-heatwave-continues">Continue reading...</a> Extreme heat UK weather Europe weather Extreme weather Climate crisis Somerset Cardiff London England Wales UK news Environment France Spain Europe World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:53:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/highest-june-minimum-temperature-record-broken-cardiff-savage-heatwave-continues Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Damian Carrington in London and Ashifa Kassam in Madrid 2026-06-25T16:53:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/datacentres-facing-increase-in-global-climate-related-legal-cases-report-finds <p>LSE analysis highlights litigation linked to energy sources, water consumption and air pollution</p><p>The proliferation of datacentres and AI is increasingly at the forefront of environmental litigation around the world, from the US and UK to Chile to Ireland, a report has found.</p><p>In an analysis of about 3,600 climate-related lawsuits filed since 2015, the <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/publication/global-trends-in-climate-change-litigation-2026-snapshot">latest annual review of climate litigation</a><strong> </strong>by the London School of Economics (LSE) found a growing number of cases challenging the energy sources, water consumption and air pollution of datacentres, all of which have related climate implications.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/datacentres-facing-increase-in-global-climate-related-legal-cases-report-finds">Continue reading...</a> Environmental activism Environment Fossil fuels Energy Water Air pollution Climate crisis Technology AI (artificial intelligence) Computing Google Datacenters US news Chile Ireland World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:03:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/datacentres-facing-increase-in-global-climate-related-legal-cases-report-finds Photograph: Luis Bustamante/The Guardian Photograph: Luis Bustamante/The Guardian Photograph: Luis Bustamante/The Guardian Isabella Kaminski 2026-06-25T10:03:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/paris-partial-victory-totalenergies-climate-risks-case <p>French capital hails ‘landmark decision’ against oil firm relating to disclosure of emissions from oil and gas products</p><p>A Paris court has ​ruled that the French oil company TotalEnergies must disclose the climate risks linked to emissions from its oil and gas products and set out plans to ⁠address them in a high-stakes case brought by NGOs and the city of Paris.</p><p>The ruling on Thursday is a partial victory for climate change NGOs seeking to apply France’s 2017 corporate duty of vigilance law to the climate crisis. However, the ⁠court stopped short of ordering specific measures such as limiting overseas exploration and production or setting binding ​emissions reduction targets.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/paris-partial-victory-totalenergies-climate-risks-case">Continue reading...</a> France Oil and gas companies Climate crisis Greenhouse gas emissions Energy industry Paris World news Business Environment Europe Law Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:25:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/paris-partial-victory-totalenergies-climate-risks-case Photograph: Apaydin Alain/ABACA/Shutterstock Photograph: Apaydin Alain/ABACA/Shutterstock Photograph: Apaydin Alain/ABACA/Shutterstock Agence France-Presse 2026-06-25T16:25:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/24/youtube-video-proved-libya-sand-cat-exist-aoe <p>Wildlife photographer Mohammed Almuntasir had no idea what he had found until scientists started to get in touch</p><p>When wildlife photographer Mohammed Almuntasir uploaded 18 seconds of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWLD9g73HLk">footage to YouTube</a>, he thought little more about the small, pale cat seen digging a hollow in the sand in the remote dunes of south-west Libya.</p><p>The video, however, posted in 2017, turned out to be the first material evidence that the <a href="https://wildlife.org.ly/animal-cards/felis-margarita/">sand cat</a> (<em>Felis margarita</em>), the world’s only felid adapted to true desert conditions, existed in the country.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/24/youtube-video-proved-libya-sand-cat-exist-aoe">Continue reading...</a> Libya Wildlife Environment Middle East and north Africa Africa World news Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/24/youtube-video-proved-libya-sand-cat-exist-aoe Photograph: Mohammed Almuntasir Photograph: Mohammed Almuntasir Photograph: Mohammed Almuntasir Amr Fathallah in Tripoli. Photographs by Mohammed Almuntasir 2026-06-24T11:00:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/pope-leo-far-right-bishops <p>Conflict threatens to worsen mounting tensions between the Vatican and rightwing Catholics in the US and globally</p><p>A far-right Catholic sect’s plan to ordain its own bishops on the first day of July has placed it on a collision course with the Vatican – posing a possible crisis for Pope Leo a little over a year into his papacy, and straining the Roman Catholic church’s already fraught relationship with rightwing and traditionalist Catholics in the US and elsewhere.</p><p>Founded in Switzerland in 1970 to oppose liberalizing reforms in the Catholic church, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) has gained significant followings in the US, France, Argentina and other countries. The order, which has a <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/01/retreat-christian-soldiers/603043/">large</a> base of operations in Kansas, claims that more than half a million people worldwide <a href="https://sspx.org/en/general-statistics-about-sspx-30870">attend</a> its masses, though these numbers are difficult to verify. It counts <a href="https://fsspx.news/en/news/sspx-statistics-2025-56151">nearly</a> 1,500 priests, seminarians and other vocational members among its members.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/pope-leo-far-right-bishops">Continue reading...</a> Pope Leo XIV The papacy Catholicism Religion The far right Christianity World news Vatican Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/pope-leo-far-right-bishops Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images J Oliver Conroy 2026-06-25T11:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/louisiana-sheriff-podcaster-battery <p>Randy Smith’s resignation was part of plea deal after attack on podcaster Bobby Couvillion at a Madisonville restaurant</p><p>A suburban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/new-orleans">New Orleans</a> sheriff who had held one of his community’s most prominent political offices for a decade has retired shortly after pleading guilty to battering a podcaster who often criticized him.</p><p>Randy Smith, 61, also agreed to serve more than a year of probation after admitting to a late May beating at a steakhouse where he had bought 18 alcoholic beverages on his tab on a Friday afternoon – which all but halted his four-decade policing career.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/louisiana-sheriff-podcaster-battery">Continue reading...</a> Louisiana US policing US crime US news New Orleans Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/louisiana-sheriff-podcaster-battery Photograph: WWL Louisiana Photograph: WWL Louisiana Photograph: WWL Louisiana Ramon Antonio Vargas 2026-06-25T10:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/physician-assistants-us-federal-student-loans <p>Advocates condemn change that caps loans at $20,500 a year – less than half median annual cost of PA program</p><p>The threat of strict new caps on federal student loans is causing would-be physician assistants to reconsider training, groups representing physician assistants said.</p><p>An overhaul of the federal student loan system scheduled to go into effect on 1 July strictly would cap the annual amount of federal loans physician assistants can borrow to $20,500 per year – less than half the median annual cost of a PA program.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/physician-assistants-us-federal-student-loans">Continue reading...</a> US healthcare US news US politics Trump administration Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/physician-assistants-us-federal-student-loans Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images Jessica Glenza 2026-06-25T11:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/israeli-forces-arrest-palestinian-doctor-of-the-poor <p>Dr Mazen Al-Rantisi, a 71-year-old physician well known for providing care to low-income Palestinians, was arrested in the occupied West Bank</p><p>Israeli forces on Sunday arrested a prominent 71-year-old Palestinian physician known as the “doctor of the poor” in a pre-dawn raid on his home in the occupied West Bank, prompting widespread condemnation.</p><p>Dr Mazen Al-Rantisi, a physician widely known for providing care to low-income Palestinians, was arrested in the al-Tira neighbourhood of Ramallah.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/israeli-forces-arrest-palestinian-doctor-of-the-poor">Continue reading...</a> West Bank World news Israel Palestine Middle East and north Africa Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:25:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/israeli-forces-arrest-palestinian-doctor-of-the-poor Photograph: X Photograph: X Photograph: X Lorenzo Tondo 2026-06-25T16:25:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/constitutional-coup-zimbabwe-senate-approves-presidential-term <p>Opposition figures fear changes will further tighten 83-year-old president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s hold on power</p><p>Zimbabwe is on the brink of amending its constitution to give the president more time in office, a change that the government says will bring stability but that opponents have labelled a “constitutional coup”.</p><p>The upper house of Zimbabwe’s parliament voted on Wednesday 75-4 in favour of the constitutional amendments, which will allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in office until 2030 by extending presidential terms from five to seven years.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/constitutional-coup-zimbabwe-senate-approves-presidential-term">Continue reading...</a> Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa Africa World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:04:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/constitutional-coup-zimbabwe-senate-approves-presidential-term Photograph: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters Photograph: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters Photograph: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters Rachel Savage Southern Africa correspondent 2026-06-25T16:04:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/russia-used-israeli-tool-to-crack-phone-months-after-contract-cancelled-report-finds <p>Case of Andrei Pivovarov raises questions about how much control Cellebrite has over its own software</p><p>Russian authorities used tools from the Israeli company Cellebrite to break into the phone of a political prisoner, months after the company said it cancelled its contracts with Russia, an investigation by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab research unit <a href="https://citizenlab.ca/research/russia-breaks-into-human-rights-activists-phone-with-cellebrite/">has found</a>.</p><p>The case raises questions about how much control Cellebrite has over its own software, which allows users to easily break into phones and examine their contents. The tools are sold worldwide and widely used by police forces in the UK and the US.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/russia-used-israeli-tool-to-crack-phone-months-after-contract-cancelled-report-finds">Continue reading...</a> Russia Israel Hacking Technology Human rights World news Europe Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:25:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/russia-used-israeli-tool-to-crack-phone-months-after-contract-cancelled-report-finds Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Photograph: AP Aisha Down 2026-06-25T13:25:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/david-clayton-thomas-singer-dies <p>The Canadian musician, who achieved major hits such as Spinning Wheel and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy, died peacefully at a Toronto hospital</p><p>David Clayton-Thomas, lead singer of 60s and 70s group Blood, Sweat &amp; Tears has died aged 84.</p><p>According to his publicist, the Canadian singer died peacefully at a hospital in Toronto with no cause of death given.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/david-clayton-thomas-singer-dies">Continue reading...</a> Music US news Pop and rock Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:40:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/david-clayton-thomas-singer-dies Photograph: Michael Putland/Getty Images Photograph: Michael Putland/Getty Images Photograph: Michael Putland/Getty Images Benjamin Lee 2026-06-25T14:40:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/john-cusack-films-ranked <p>As the former teen heartthrob turns 60, we look at his most intense, ironic, lovable roles – from a sympathetic scientist to a peevish puppeteer</p><p>It’s the Great Depression à la Disney when a tomboy, Natty, rides the rails in search of her lumberjack father. This marked the first time I saw Cusack, impressive as a wise young hobo, though not the first time I saw Natty’s wolf-dog companion: it’s Jed, sled-dog from The Thing!</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/john-cusack-films-ranked">Continue reading...</a> Film Culture John Cusack Being John Malkovich Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/john-cusack-films-ranked Photograph: Buena Vista/Allstar Photograph: Buena Vista/Allstar Photograph: Buena Vista/Allstar Anne Billson 2026-06-25T12:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/little-brother-movie-review-netflix <p>The surreal comedian struggles to sell a middling and mostly conventional film about an uptight realtor whose life is upturned by an unpredictable figure from his past</p><p>The specific, unforced strangeness of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/27/comedian-eric-andre-we-dont-tell-guests-a-thing-they-waltz-into-a-house-of-horrors">Eric André’s comedy</a> hasn’t been an easy fit for Hollywood. His surreal and frequently hilarious late-night series The Eric André Show was an unpredictably odd and often violently catastrophic mix of awkward celebrity interviews and daring, dangerous on-the-street pranks and his manic, anything-for-the-bit energy marked him as someone execs would be unwise to entirely ignore.</p><p>But André didn’t really feel like someone who desperately needed industry approval and broader acceptance or the inevitable comedy vehicle that would come with it (those projects are also admittedly far less common than they once were). There was an attempt in 2020, a hidden camera hybrid comedy called Bad Trip that saw André lead a fictional narrative playing out in real locations with real people unwittingly cast alongside. But Covid forced a theatrical play into a Netflix premiere and while it had its moments (the zoo-based sexual assault is a work of crude genius), the format was a gamble that, for me, didn’t completely pay off (it was as hit-and-miss as a sketch show). The film’s looseness did at least feel like a more natural fit for André than his follow-up for the streamer, the far more conventional and far less amusing comedy Little Brother, the closest he has come to “fitting in”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/little-brother-movie-review-netflix">Continue reading...</a> Comedy films Comedy Culture Film Netflix Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/little-brother-movie-review-netflix Photograph: Netflix/PA Photograph: Netflix/PA Photograph: Netflix/PA Benjamin Lee 2026-06-25T23:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/chris-and-martina-the-final-set-review-tennis-titans-discuss-their-deep-bond-and-intense-rivalry <p>Now supporting each other through cancer treatment, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova trace the ups and downs of their decades-long relationship at the summit of sporting achievement</p><p>Here is a Netflix documentary with a real story to tell: the giant friendship and frenmity (or frivalry) between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, the two titans who throughout the late 70s and 80s dominated international women’s tennis and did so much to boost the sport whose existence, incidentally, helped to silence certain sexist reactionaries who doubted the feasibility of women’s football. The film shows us their intense relationship now, supporting each other as they both go through the challenge of cancer.</p><p>It’s a highly watchable film, which makes the strong and valid point that even in the cutthroat world of professional sport there is, in fact, room for real friendship and “sportsmanship”. But it leaves open the suspicion that the friendship between Evert and Navratilova, though perfectly genuine, may be a little more complicated than it looks here. And the dual storyline tilts the balance, just a little, away from the side of the story which for me is more compelling: the extraordinary drama of Navratilova’s courageous defection in 1975, when she was just 18, from communist Czechoslovakia to the US. She knew that she might never see her mother or sister again, and for a while faced the real threat of abduction by Soviet or Czech security forces. (Nureyev was 23 when he defected, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/06/viktor-korchnoi-obituary">chess star Victor Korchnoi</a> 45.)</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/chris-and-martina-the-final-set-review-tennis-titans-discuss-their-deep-bond-and-intense-rivalry">Continue reading...</a> Film Documentary films Tennis Women Martina Navratilova Cancer Culture Health Society Sport Czechoslovakia World news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/chris-and-martina-the-final-set-review-tennis-titans-discuss-their-deep-bond-and-intense-rivalry Photograph: Courtesy of Netflix Photograph: Courtesy of Netflix Photograph: Courtesy of Netflix Peter Bradshaw 2026-06-25T10:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/elaine-may-director-film-series <p>As a new retrospective opens, collaborators of the Mikey and Nicky film-maker explain how she blazed a trail for female directors in Hollywood</p><p>In 1975, after more than two years of sifting through footage, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/nov/18/elaine-may-comic-writer-director-the-waverly-gallery-broadway">Elaine May</a> was still in the weeds editing her deeply personal gangster film, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jun/15/mikey-and-nicky-review-john-cassavetes-peter-falk-elaine-may">Mikey and Nicky</a>, and Paramount Pictures and its CEO, Barry Diller, were losing patience. In a desperate move to retain control, the director sold the film out from under Paramount to Alyce Films, a phoney production company reportedly set up by May, the film’s star, Peter Falk, and a number of other co-conspirators. But the sale was halted, and May was ordered by a judge to deliver the film to Paramount, which she did, except for two essential reels which mysteriously went missing until the studio agreed to let her supervise the editing of the final cut.</p><p>Set in the flophouse hotel rooms and diners of Philadelphia, Mikey and Nicky is one long, panic-inducing hangout between two gangsters, one (Nicky, played by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/johncassavetes">John Cassavetes</a>) is on the run for robbing his boss, while the other (Mikey, played by Falk) is torn between hiding his best friend or handing him over. Nicky wants to evade the contract killer he knows is on his trail, but he also wants to drink beer, go to the movies and play hot hands with Mikey on the bus. Mikey wants to care for Nicky; you get the sense he’s been doing it for a long time. He wants to feed him antacids and milk to treat his ulcers, but he’s also got a family and has outgrown their dynamic. They go back a long way and their relationship, though full of love that is apparent in every look and gesture between the two, is also fraught with a history of small betrayals, the kinds of slights and indignities that only stay with you when you really know and love someone. Right at the heart of this unglamorous gangster film is one of the most beautiful and bleak portrayals of male friendship ever put on screen.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/elaine-may-director-film-series">Continue reading...</a> Film New York Comedy films Crime films Comedy Culture US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/25/elaine-may-director-film-series Photograph: Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center Photograph: Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center Photograph: Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center Matthew Allan 2026-06-25T09:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/for-the-record-an-incomplete-history-of-music-review-youtube-documentary <p>Charlotte Ritchie presents a wildly ambitious and unapologetically brainy YouTube documentary that takes in Big Bang soundwaves, singing dolphins and an astonishing amount in between. Don’t miss it for the world</p><p>One of the big things to have come out of David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebrations this year was the scale of ambition he had during his tenure behind camera. It was Attenborough who commissioned <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/04/civilisation-revisited-kenneth-clark-television-landmark-series-art">Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2011/apr/15/ascent-man-jacob-bronowski-review">Jacob Bronowski’s The Ascent of Man</a>, two vast documentary series that became defining texts on the history of art and science.</p><p>The consensus seemed to be that this sort of thing – huge, cerebral, expensive – would simply not get made today, unless it was dumbed down and cut-price and rebranded as Amanda Holden’s Top 10 Renaissance Willies. So it comes as something of a surprise to learn that the Cosmic Shambles Network’s new documentary series, For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music, takes its title as seriously as it does.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/for-the-record-an-incomplete-history-of-music-review-youtube-documentary">Continue reading...</a> Television Charlotte Ritchie Television & radio Culture YouTube Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/25/for-the-record-an-incomplete-history-of-music-review-youtube-documentary Photograph: PR Photograph: PR Photograph: PR Stuart Heritage 2026-06-25T05:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/muse-the-wow-signal-review <p><strong>(Warner)</strong><br>From Count Dracula organ to choirs crying in Latin, the Devon band are scenery-chewingly preposterous​ yet nuanced on this epic about extraterrestrial life</p><p>Barely three minutes of Muse’s 10th album has elapsed before a choir make an appearance: a choir that isn’t singing so much as chanting in Latin, like something you might hear on the soundtrack to an occult-themed horror film. “Sanctus!” they cry. “Dominus!” And, inevitably, “Lucifer!”</p><p>The choir are harder to hear than you might think, battling as they are against everything else that’s going on during The Wow! Signal’s opening track, The Dark Forest: a cantering electronic bassline not a million miles removed from those you used to get on the hi-NRG records that soundtracked mid-80s gay clubs; a string section sawing away as if their lives depended on it; a distorted electric guitar playing frantic prog-metal arpeggios; and frontman Matt Bellamy wildly emoting through a chanson-like vocal melody: “Stars extinguish themselves in fear!” he sings. “We will all beg for extinction!”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/muse-the-wow-signal-review">Continue reading...</a> Muse Pop and rock Music Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/muse-the-wow-signal-review Photograph: Tim Saccenti Photograph: Tim Saccenti Photograph: Tim Saccenti Alexis Petridis 2026-06-25T11:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/british-singer-kwn-from-amazon-driver-to-global-r-and-b-star <p>After being dropped by her label, the vocalist became a courier to make ends meet. Now she’s back – with millions of fans of her pheromone-rich songwriting</p><p>Kwn has never been one to turn her nose up at a job. She has worked night shifts at Sainsbury’s and chopped vegetables with her dad, the head chef at the Ivy in London. But her first day as an Amazon delivery driver in 2024 was soul-crushing. Only two years before, the singer, who goes by K Wilson outside music, had signed a deal and released her debut EP, Episode Wn. Now, she had been dropped from her label and was broke. Sitting in her van at the end of the shift, Wilson burst into tears.</p><p>“Be nice to your delivery drivers,” says the 26-year-old, shaking her head in dismay. “It’s not for the weak. By the time I got home, I was shattered. I don’t want to make music. What the fuck am I even gonna write about? Delivering packages?” Wilson lasted five months. Then, after failed attempts to whip up industry interest in her music, she hatched a plan with her manager to sell her next single, Worst Behaviour, directly to fans for £1.99. Five hundred sales would generate about a grand – enough to keep them afloat temporarily. Within a week, they had exceeded their target tenfold. Within a few months, Wilson was in record label boardrooms, listening to music executives pitch her path to stardom.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/british-singer-kwn-from-amazon-driver-to-global-r-and-b-star">Continue reading...</a> R&B Music Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:00:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/british-singer-kwn-from-amazon-driver-to-global-r-and-b-star Photograph: Michelle Helena Janssen Photograph: Michelle Helena Janssen Photograph: Michelle Helena Janssen Olive Pometsey 2026-06-25T14:00:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/orchestral-works-mel-bonis-album-review-bbcsso-rumon-gamba-elizabeth-watts <p><strong>BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Rumon Gamba/Elizabeth Watts</strong><br><strong>(Chandos) <br></strong>The French composer – a contemporary of Debussy’s – wrote slender but perfectly-formed pieces of beguiling beauty</p><p>The welcome rediscovery of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/31/the-remarkable-life-and-music-of-french-composer-mel-bonis-elena-uriosite-tom-poster">Mel Bonis</a> continues, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Rumon Gamba do full justice to her finely crafted, perfumed orchestral music on this new studio recording. Bonis was a classmate of Debussy, and the best of her works here compare to his in terms of instrumental intrigue, albeit on a smaller scale.</p><p>Bonis’s most ambitious works for orchestra were the Trois Femmes de Légende, written around 1909. In these beguiling, brief tone poems, Ophelia emerges as a kind of tragic water nymph, Salome as a princess from a far-off, exotic east. Even more mystery surrounds Cleopatra, who is portrayed in music that is sensuous yet uneasy, with quiet writing for the bass instruments underpinning her languid melody.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/orchestral-works-mel-bonis-album-review-bbcsso-rumon-gamba-elizabeth-watts">Continue reading...</a> Classical music BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Claude Debussy Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/orchestral-works-mel-bonis-album-review-bbcsso-rumon-gamba-elizabeth-watts Photograph: Alexander James Photograph: Alexander James Photograph: Alexander James Erica Jeal 2026-06-25T14:00:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/22/hayley-williams-review-roundhouse-london <p><strong>Roundhouse, London</strong><br>In her first European jaunt outside of her headbanging band, the singer uses humour to turn angsty songs into rowdy collective catharsis</p><p>Hayley Williams swaggers on stage with a guitar and begins gleefully raging about her antidepressant of choice. Mirtazapine, a pop-punk ode to the drug that “makes me eat” and “makes me sleep”, swiftly rouses the audience into a boisterous singalong. Her chemistry with the crowd is so potent that it’s easy to forget this is Williams’s first London gig since supporting Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour with her band Paramore in 2024, and her first ever European tour as a solo artist. “I remember so many of you,” she says, beaming at the crowd. She points at someone in the front row: “You came on stage [for] Misery Business.”</p><p>For years, Williams had vowed to never pursue solo music. In fact, when she landed a deal with Atlantic Records at 14, it was on her insistence that she’d make music as part of a band. Now finally released from the contract she signed as a teenager, the 37-year-old’s third solo record, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, was a grief-stricken reflection on lost loves and lost innocence. On stage, she appears to heal those wounds with soulful artistry. A daring cover of Nina Simone’s Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood leaves the room in silence; a brief snippet of Didn’t Cha Know by Erykah Badu prefaces her viral hit Good Ol’ Days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/22/hayley-williams-review-roundhouse-london">Continue reading...</a> Hayley Williams Pop and rock Music Culture Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:01:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/22/hayley-williams-review-roundhouse-london Photograph: Zachary Gray Photograph: Zachary Gray Photograph: Zachary Gray Olive Pometsey 2026-06-22T13:01:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/jesus-christ-kinski-by-benjamin-myers-review-inside-the-mind-of-an-actor-in-meltdown <p>Narrator Rory Kinnear fully inhabits Klaus Kinski’s fury in this depiction of the irascible actor’s ill-fated performance in Berlin </p><p>In 1971, the German actor Klaus Kinski performed a theatrical monologue called Jesus Christ Saviour at the Deutschlandhalle arena in Berlin, but things didn’t quite go to plan. A controversial figure in his lifetime, Kinski was irascible, egomaniacal and prone to violent temper tantrums.</p><p>The film director Werner Herzog famously worked with Kinski on movies including Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo and later filmed a documentary about the actor’s unhinged antics called My Best Fiend. The antipathy went both ways: in his memoir, Kinski fantasised about Herzog dying of the plague or being eaten alive by ants.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/jesus-christ-kinski-by-benjamin-myers-review-inside-the-mind-of-an-actor-in-meltdown">Continue reading...</a> Books Culture Werner Herzog Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:00:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/jesus-christ-kinski-by-benjamin-myers-review-inside-the-mind-of-an-actor-in-meltdown Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images Fiona Sturges 2026-06-25T14:00:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/dooneen-by-keith-ridgway-review-uncanny-visions-of-dark-times-in-dublin <p>Ireland is trembling with nascent social unrest in this labyrinthine tale of one man’s homecoming</p><p>Irish author Keith Ridgway’s latest novel deals, both mischievously and menacingly, in ambivalence. The book’s epigraph is taken from a&nbsp;misty-eyed ballad pining for the “lofty” magnificence of the Cliffs of Dooneen. But these lines are appended with a footnote cautioning that “debate continues concerning the cliffs named in the song – whether they are in County Clare or County Kerry, or whether they exist at all …”</p><p>Place and knowledge continue to be wilfully unstable categories once the narrative begins. Bartholomew Port, known as Mew, says goodbye to his partner Mootie as he sets off on a trip from south London to his birthplace, Dublin. In the first of the novel’s Alice in Wonderland-style sleights of hand, Mew is transported to the Irish capital not by air or sea, but by slipping through bushes in Camberwell’s Burgess Park.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/dooneen-by-keith-ridgway-review-uncanny-visions-of-dark-times-in-dublin">Continue reading...</a> Fiction Books Culture Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/25/dooneen-by-keith-ridgway-review-uncanny-visions-of-dark-times-in-dublin Photograph: David Soanes Photography/Getty Images Photograph: David Soanes Photography/Getty Images Photograph: David Soanes Photography/Getty Images Michael Donkor 2026-06-25T06:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/best-american-lgbtq-books-authors <p>From 20th-century classics to little-known treasures, queer authors share their favorite books about LGBTQ+ life</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/22/writers-on-their-favourite-lgbtq-movie-characters">‘Sheer outrageousness’: writers on their favourite LGBTQ+ movie characters</a></p></li></ul><p>You could debate what the best American <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/lgbt-rights">LGBTQ+</a> book is until the cows come home, but experts at least tend to agree on the <em>first</em> one: 1870’s catchily titled Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania by Bayard Taylor. Compared with the well-worn classics of the British LGBTQ+ literary canon – from Oscar Wilde to Jeanette Winterson and beyond – its US counterpart feels invitingly hazy: greener and ever-evolving to reflect the spectrum of queer American life.</p><p>To celebrate pride month and the upcoming <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/series/america-at-250">250th anniversary</a> of America, the Guardian asked nearly two dozen leading queer writers for their favorite LGBTQ+ book from the country they call home. Read on for their choices.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/best-american-lgbtq-books-authors">Continue reading...</a> Books LGBTQ+ rights Culture Fiction Autobiography and memoir Poetry US theater Michael Cunningham James Baldwin Carson McCullers Ernest Hemingway Tony Kushner Bret Easton Ellis Alice Walker Sylvia Plath US news World news Biography books Pride Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:00:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/best-american-lgbtq-books-authors Composite: The Guardian/ Theatre Communications Group/Dial Press/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich/Black Sparrow Press/ Doubleday Books/ Amethyst Books/ Alfred A. Knopf Composite: The Guardian/ Theatre Communications Group/Dial Press/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich/Black Sparrow Press/ Doubleday Books/ Amethyst Books/ Alfred A. Knopf Composite: The Guardian/ Theatre Communications Group/Dial Press/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich/Black Sparrow Press/ Doubleday Books/ Amethyst Books/ Alfred A. Knopf Owen Myers 2026-06-24T08:00:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/24/sicko-sick-bag-book-elizabeth-mccaferty <p>One evoked a hellish trip from Delhi after passengers had drunk unsanitary water. Another conjoured up an era when planes were thick with cigarette smoke. And one man collected them all …</p><p>If, a few years ago, someone told me that I would spend most of my 2026 scanning hundreds of airline sick bags, I would have wondered what had gone wrong with my life. Especially if you also told me I’d become a keen enthusiast for the beauty of their designs. But, as it turns out, making my new book Sicko has been one of the most joyful projects I’ve ever done.</p><p>It all began in 2023, when I met Trevor Cunningham. Back then I was making a film about his support group called <a href="https://www.asktrev.com/">Ask Trev</a> – a free advice and guidance service staffed entirely by people called Trevor (there’s an astonishing 140 of them contributing to what he calls “a Trevorlution”).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/24/sicko-sick-bag-book-elizabeth-mccaferty">Continue reading...</a> Books Culture Collecting Airline industry Life and style Travel Art and design books Art and design Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:32:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/24/sicko-sick-bag-book-elizabeth-mccaferty Composite: Elizabeth McCafferty Composite: Elizabeth McCafferty Composite: Elizabeth McCafferty Elizabeth McCafferty 2026-06-24T11:32:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/25/grand-theft-auto-vi-pre-orders-open <p>The blockbuster launch is expected to dwarf the box office takings of the year’s biggest movies with one industry analyst predicting it could make $1bn within an hour</p><p>It is, quite simply, the most anticipated piece of entertainment since the Star Wars prequels and now, at last, you can reserve a copy. At midnight last night, Rockstar opened preorders on Grand Theft Auto VI, the latest title in the epic open-world gangster adventure series, five months before its 19 November release date on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.</p><p>Prices have also been confirmed, with the standard edition costing $80 in the US, £70 in the UK, and €80 in Europe. An Ultimate Edition (£90/€100/$100) will include exclusive in-game cars, clothes and weapons – the developer has confirmed that there will also be in-game stores that are only open to Ultimate owners. Anyone who pre-orders the game will get a Vintage Vice City pack filled with 80s apparel and other nostalgic items, which look to be straight out of Don Johnson’s Miami Vice wardrobe.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/25/grand-theft-auto-vi-pre-orders-open">Continue reading...</a> Games Culture Grand Theft Auto Grand Theft Auto VI Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:17:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/25/grand-theft-auto-vi-pre-orders-open Photograph: Rockstar Games Photograph: Rockstar Games Photograph: Rockstar Games Keith Stuart 2026-06-25T14:17:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/23/the-long-painful-history-of-terrible-world-cup-video-games <p>As football fans revel in the real world tournament, its digital counterparts continue to stumble in capturing the ​hyped up ​atmosphere</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/ng-interactive/2021/nov/24/sign-up-for-pushing-buttons-keza-macdonalds-weekly-look-at-the-world-of-gaming"><strong>Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here</strong></a></p><p>I come with a warning to all football fans: if you’ve been enjoying the World Cup enough to think, “I’d like to re-enact this on a football video game”, do not go to Netflix and play Fifa World Cup: Launch Edition, the officially licensed game of the tournament, which streams via your smart TV or computer. Developed by the virtually unknown Delphi Interactive, it’s a juddering, dated calamity, with sluggish controls (via your phone, once you’ve downloaded the app) and commentary courtesy of Clive Tyldesley that delivers all the excitement of a robotic train station announcement.</p><p>Until this, it was largely agreed that the worst World Cup football game in history was World Cup Carnival, the first official Fifa tie-in, which was released on various home computers in 1986. Publisher US Gold thought it had a deal with the Manchester studio Ocean Software to repurpose its acclaimed title Match Day, but the agreement fell through. With three months to go before Mexico 86, US Gold was forced to effectively rebadge a dire 1984 sim, World Cup Football, by the fading developer Artic. To add some value to the package, the game was released in a fancy big box complete with a fixtures chart, a World Cup facts poster and some flag stickers. Nobody was fooled – the World Cup Carnival was a critical and commercial disaster.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/23/the-long-painful-history-of-terrible-world-cup-video-games">Continue reading...</a> Games Culture World Cup World Cup 2026 Football Sport Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:00:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/23/the-long-painful-history-of-terrible-world-cup-video-games Photograph: Netflix Photograph: Netflix Photograph: Netflix Keith Stuart 2026-06-24T14:00:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/21/from-pwned-to-kiting-an-a-to-z-of-the-gaming-terms-you-need-to-know <p>As phrases like easter eggs and looksmaxxing enter everyday language, what other words from the world of video games might soon be mainstream?</p><p>Twenty years ago, video games were seen as a niche hobby dominated by hardcore enthusiasts, tucked away in obscure online forums and gaming meet-ups. Back then, the idea that governments would use footage from Call of Duty and gaming terms such as “killstreaks” as war propaganda would have been absurd. Then the 2010s happened: nerd culture popularised, previously online-only spaces began to meld with the real world, and gaming went mainstream.</p><p>Now, gaming references have entered common parlance – at the end of 2024, video game terms including “cheat code” and “cutscene” were even <a href="https://www.oed.com/discover/the-oed-december-2024-update/?tl=true">added to the Oxford English Dictionary</a><strong> </strong>– and they increasingly crop up in politics, too. Earlier this year, the official White House X account <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029953667600646655">posted footage</a> of military strikes on Iran interspersed with footage from the video game Grand Theft Auto. Six days later, <a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2032115039985881556">another video was posted</a>, this time interspersing military footage with clips from Nintendo’s 2006 game Wii Sports.<strong> </strong>Video game references aren’t reserved for the political right, either: in February 2026, Democrat representative of New York <a href="https://x.com/AOC/status/2026696988272546182">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quipped</a>, “Why does this guy always talk like a World of Warcraft npc [non-player character]?” in response to a post on X by Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/21/from-pwned-to-kiting-an-a-to-z-of-the-gaming-terms-you-need-to-know">Continue reading...</a> Games Culture Sun, 21 Jun 2026 11:00:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/21/from-pwned-to-kiting-an-a-to-z-of-the-gaming-terms-you-need-to-know Composite: Guardian Design; Nikiteev_Konstantin; Roman Motsak / Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Nikiteev_Konstantin; Roman Motsak / Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Nikiteev_Konstantin; Roman Motsak / Getty Images Robin Craig 2026-06-21T11:00:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/19/stop-killing-games-activists-campaigning-online-gaming <p>When a company decided to shut down an online game’s servers, there wasn’t much the players who had bought that title could do – until a group called Stop Killing Games began lobbying for new consumer protection laws</p><p>You can never be sure how long an online video game will last. Developer BioWare shut off sci-fi shooter Anthem’s servers in January, after seven years. Electronic Arts discontinued access to The Sims Mobile the same month. Wildlight Entertainment shuttered its Highguard servers in March, mere months after the game’s release. Activision Blizzard took Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile offline in April. <a href="https://gamerant.com/games-shut-down-2026-list-highguard-anthem/">Dozens more</a> games have had their servers shut down in the first six months of 2026, adding to an already long list of video games that are no longer playable.</p><p>There is little that players can do when a company decides to stop supporting online play. Communities work hard to keep their favourite games online, sometimes <a href="https://kotaku.com/anthem-revival-private-servers-shutdown-bioware-fan-2000661358">keeping dead games running on private servers</a>, though that may not necessarily be entirely legal. Generally, though, when a game goes offline it is dead and it’s not coming back.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/19/stop-killing-games-activists-campaigning-online-gaming">Continue reading...</a> Online multiplayer games Games Culture Consumer rights Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jun/19/stop-killing-games-activists-campaigning-online-gaming Photograph: Wildlight Entertainment, Inc. Photograph: Wildlight Entertainment, Inc. Photograph: Wildlight Entertainment, Inc. Nicole Carpenter 2026-06-19T09:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/frida-kahlo-making-icon-exhibition-tate-modern-london <p>The artist’s likeness has become a symbol of resistance and heroism – but the truth is more complicated. As a major exhibition opens in London, has brand Frida obscured the real Kahlo?</p><p>I spend a lot of time in museum gift shops, and no matter where I might be in the world, I will see Frida Kahlo. Her likeness appears on socks, dolls, puzzles, water bottles, cushions, jewellery, mugs, eggcups, phone cases, shopping bags, votive candles, notebooks, keychains – just about any consumer goods, in fact, that can be formed or printed.</p><p>Her face has been reduced to a recognisable shorthand of monobrow, lipstick and extravagant floral headdress (her distinctive upper lip hair seldom makes the cut). Kahlo’s life and career are likewise stripped of detail, with children’s literature and popular art books sanitising her biography, shaping it into an inspiring tale of resilience in the face of physical pain, pride in her identity and art triumphing over adversity. She has been flattened into a beautiful but tragic figure.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/frida-kahlo-making-icon-exhibition-tate-modern-london">Continue reading...</a> Frida Kahlo Art and design Culture Tate Modern Exhibitions Art Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/25/frida-kahlo-making-icon-exhibition-tate-modern-london Photograph: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Photograph: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Photograph: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Hettie Judah 2026-06-25T07:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/jun/25/above-all-there-is-love-single-mothers-caring-for-disabled-children-in-pictures <p>Carol Allen-Storey’s intimate images capture the struggles mums face looking after kids with disabilities – but also the huge hearts of both parents and children</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/jun/25/above-all-there-is-love-single-mothers-caring-for-disabled-children-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Photography Art and design Books Art Culture Disability Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/jun/25/above-all-there-is-love-single-mothers-caring-for-disabled-children-in-pictures Photograph: Carol Allen-Storey undefined Photograph: Carol Allen-Storey undefined Photograph: Carol Allen-Storey undefined Guardian Staff 2026-06-25T06:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/whitney-houston-estate-oprah-winfrey-claim-fell-off-stage-drug-use <p>Late singer ‘absolutely not high’ when she fell on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, says estate after Winfrey claimed she had relapsed</p><p>Whitney Houston’s estate has refuted what they call “inaccurate and unfair” claims by Oprah Winfrey that the singer was drug affected when she fell off the stage during an appearance on her talkshow.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/Variety/status/2069337244565930289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069337244565930289%7Ctwgr%5E4dd9d5b97028898849f781165da7015254354bed%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2026%2F06%2F23%2Fwhitney-houstons-family-denies-oprahs-claims%2F">Speaking on Tuesday at the Cannes Lions conference in France</a>, Winfrey claimed Houston was “back on drugs” during her two-part appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, during which she spoke about being clean after years of substance abuse and two spells in rehab.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/whitney-houston-estate-oprah-winfrey-claim-fell-off-stage-drug-use">Continue reading...</a> Whitney Houston Oprah Winfrey Music Culture Drugs Thu, 25 Jun 2026 03:56:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/25/whitney-houston-estate-oprah-winfrey-claim-fell-off-stage-drug-use Photograph: Rick Diamond/WireImage Photograph: Rick Diamond/WireImage Photograph: Rick Diamond/WireImage Sian Cain 2026-06-25T03:56:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/24/german-war-hero-annika-farm-struggling-veterans-jan-krauss-best-photograph <p>‘She was in Germany’s biggest battle since the second world war, but the army took years to recognise her PTSD. Annika now runs a farm with pigs and geese where struggling veterans come to stay’</p><p>Annika Schröder’s story is an amazing one. She was in the military here in Germany for almost 20 years. She joined when she was young, adventurous and needed to earn money – they let her do fun things like jump out of an aeroplane and drive a tank. But then she got deployed to Afghanistan, and within a month her unit got sent on a rescue mission, which is now infamous as the Good Friday Battle – the biggest German military battle since the second world war. She recovered two dead soldiers and one who was heavily wounded, but went on to develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder. It took the Bundeswehr (German army) over a decade to fully recognise that. Meanwhile she was discharged because they said she wasn’t fit to do her job any more. In 2025 there was a <a href="https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/panorama/bundeswehr-ptbs-veteranen-100.html">television documentary</a> made about her life.</p><p>She now gets a full army pension that she can live off and has started what’s called a veteran farm outside Leipzig, where she keeps pigs and geese and two dogs. This image was taken in her kitchen there. Living self-sufficiently helps with her PTSD and while the dog in the picture isn’t an official support dog, it helps her feel calm.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/24/german-war-hero-annika-farm-struggling-veterans-jan-krauss-best-photograph">Continue reading...</a> Art and design Culture Photography Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:26:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/24/german-war-hero-annika-farm-struggling-veterans-jan-krauss-best-photograph Photograph: Jan Kraus Photograph: Jan Kraus Photograph: Jan Kraus Interview by Amy Fleming 2026-06-24T13:26:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/you-be-the-judge-partner-food-beard <p>Annabel is embarrassed when she spots crumbs in Teddy’s facial hair, but he finds her nudges shaming. Who is being prickly? You decide</p><p><strong>• </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/25/you-be-the-judge-send-us-your-domestic-disputes"><strong>Find out how to get a disagreement settled or become a juror</strong></a></p><p><em>I don’t want to get his food on my face when I kiss him, and I don’t want him looking silly in public</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/you-be-the-judge-partner-food-beard">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Hygiene Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/you-be-the-judge-partner-food-beard Illustration: Igor Bastidas/The Guardian Illustration: Igor Bastidas/The Guardian Illustration: Igor Bastidas/The Guardian Interviews by Georgina Lawton 2026-06-25T07:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/reality-life-cornwall-young-van-dwellers-priced-out-of-the-housing-market <p>With tourists buying up property and landlords opting for lucrative Airbnb rentals, young Cornish people are turning to old campervans to provide a roof over their heads</p><p>Skye has a thick duvet in the van she calls home in Cornwall. In winter, the 25-year-old goes to bed in several layers of clothes and is grateful for the extra warmth of her cat. She parks up late, often in car parks well away from beaches, and never stays more than one night in case local people get angry and bang on her windows. This is van life. It can be a very different world from the tourist dream.</p><p>“Some winters I’ve had ice on the inside of my van windows, and the door handles frozen shut with me inside,” says Skye, a special educational needs teaching assistant. One year her diesel air heater packed up, and she spent the whole winter feeling cold. “That was genuinely awful.” Even with the heater on in the evening, those nights and early mornings when the temperature drops below zero are tough. “I often get dressed in bed,” she says. “You just have to adjust.”</p><p>Skye, 25 arriving back at her van after a day of walking</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/reality-life-cornwall-young-van-dwellers-priced-out-of-the-housing-market">Continue reading...</a> Homelessness Cornwall Housing Property Communities Society Young people Poverty Social exclusion Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/reality-life-cornwall-young-van-dwellers-priced-out-of-the-housing-market Photograph: Polly Braden/The Guardian Photograph: Polly Braden/The Guardian Photograph: Polly Braden/The Guardian Anna Fazackerley. Photographs by Polly Braden 2026-06-25T05:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts <p>Not every Prime Day deal is worth your money. We vetted sales from Samsung, Our Place, Stasher, Cozy Earth, Levoit and more – here are our best picks</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">The best anti-Prime Day deals for Amazon skeptics</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">Prime Day</a> is the wild west of online shopping. For every genuinely great deal, there are about seven duds dressed up in “best of” graphics. To prevent you from wasting your money (or time), our editors have cut through the chaos to find Prime Day 2026’s good stuff.</p><p>Every item in this roundup has been personally tested, vetted and loved by the Filter team. We’ve also factchecked the price history on each pick to spot “list prices” that never existed and fake markdowns. It may be overkill for a list of deals, but we take your wallet seriously.</p><p><strong>Best kitchen deal:</strong> <br> Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro</p><p><strong>Best home deal:</strong> <br> Levoit Tower Fan</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Amazon Shopping Homes Gadgets Shops and shopping Shopping trips Travel Technology Beauty Hair care Food Food and drink E-commerce Coffee Mascara Women's shoes Men's shoes Fitness Health & wellbeing Fashion Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:17:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Marissa Miller 2026-06-25T13:17:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/eero-6-mesh-wifi-router-sale <p>The Eero 6 mesh wifi router gives me fast, reliable internet access anywhere in my home or yard, and it’s easy enough for anyone to set up.</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>Sun-starved remote workers like me would much rather toil on spreadsheets outside now that summer has come to the northern hemisphere. But wifi seldom cooperates in the great outdoors. Zoom meetings stutter, pages take ages to load, and eventually you’re back inside a grey room just to be able to Slack coworkers.</p><p>This was my situation four years ago, but I solved it with the <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/B085WSCTS4">Eero 6</a>, a wifi router that replaced my old black box and now blankets my house and yard in fast, reliable wifi, without dead zones. It can also help extend your internet connection across multiple floors in a house, or overcome interference caused by the thick walls you’d find in an apartment building.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/prime-day-apple-watch-deals">You can still get an Apple Watch for its lowest price ever. Here’s which to buy</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/19/best-bluetooth-speakers">The eight best Bluetooth speakers in the US, from portable to party-powering</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/eero-6-mesh-wifi-router-sale">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:30:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/eero-6-mesh-wifi-router-sale Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Nick Mokey 2026-06-24T20:30:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/field-company-cast-iron <p>Field Company’s best-in-class cast-iron pans that seldom shed their premium price tags are on sale for Prime Day</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>Many non-Amazon retailers are now offering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">Prime Day deals</a> – and one of those best deals happens to be exclusive to Guardian readers. Field Company made the premium skillet that I said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/mar/07/field-company-no-5-chef-skillet-review">“fixed everything I hated about cast iron”</a> in my five-star review, and the American-made cookware brand rarely goes on sale, but until end of June, everything on the site is <a href="https://fieldcompany.com/collections/mothers-day">20% off with code FIELD20</a>.</p><p>That means that perfect pan I reviewed, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/mar/07/field-company-no-5-chef-skillet-review">the No 5 Chef Skillet</a>, has dropped from $125 to $100. At the risk of sounding like an ad, this is a very rare sale on a unique little pan you’ll buy for life. (Zero payment behind this endorsement – only a thorough and satisfying product test.)</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/mar/07/field-company-no-5-chef-skillet-review">Field Company’s new No 5 chef skillet fixes everything I hated about cast iron</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/field-company-cast-iron">Continue reading...</a> Food Life and style Shops and shopping Shopping trips Mother's Day Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:25:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/field-company-cast-iron Photograph: Courtesy of Field Company Photograph: Courtesy of Field Company Photograph: Courtesy of Field Company Karen Yuan 2026-06-24T16:25:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/prime-day-apple-watch-deals <p>A guide to the steep Prime Day deals on Apple’s top-rated smartwatch and how to choose the right model for you</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/apple">Apple</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/apple-watch">Watch</a> has been around for a decade, so it’s safe to say you’ve already heard the evangelism from fawning owners: fitness tracking for everything from running to rowing, phone alerts on your wrist, a limitless variety of watch faces for every occasion. The latest versions have even added the ability to take an electrocardiogram, 5G connectivity and off-grid satellite messaging.</p><p>It’s no wonder the Apple Watch Series 11 earned a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/06/apple-watch-series-11-review-wrist-flickingly-good-with-longer-battery-life">five-star review</a> from our consumer tech editor and regularly pops up in our gift guides for pretty much everyone. The Apple Watch is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2025/dec/02/best-tech-gifts-ideas-for-moms">beloved by moms</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/may/27/fathers-day-deals-sales">customized by dads</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2025/nov/15/best-tween-holiday-christmas-gift-ideas-us">requested by tweens</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/eero-6-mesh-wifi-router-sale">This clever router fixed my spotty home wifi – and it’s currently on sale for a third off</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/prime-day-apple-watch-deals">Continue reading...</a> Apple Watch Apple Smartwatches Gadgets Life and style Technology Amazon Shopping Shops and shopping Shopping trips Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:41:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/prime-day-apple-watch-deals Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Nick Mokey 2026-06-25T16:41:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales <p>Besides Amazon, plenty of other retailers are also lowering prices on great products our shopping experts can vouch for</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">The best Prime Day deals on things our editors actually tested and love</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>Every summer, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/amazon">Amazon</a> entices sweaty consumers with steep discounts on everything from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-FS301-Professional-RapidChill-Technology/dp/B0D2LZYQ2M">slushie machines</a> to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVZFQ4DF">tower fans</a> in a tradition appropriately known as Prime Day. But you don’t need to sit out the savings if you don’t have a Prime membership (or just prefer not to shop at Amazon).</p><p>To compete with Prime Day, many of Amazon’s biggest competitors now dial their own prices to the lowest of the year during the same week. From <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ninja-Outdoor-FrostVault-65qt-Wheeled-Cooler-with-Cold-Dry-Zone-Birch-Beige-FB265CS/16293160286">Walmart</a> to boutique brands including <a href="https://cozyearth.com/products/waffle-bath-towels">Cozy Earth</a> and <a href="https://www.carawayhome.com/products/clean-start-bundle">Caraway</a>, everyone wants to lure you away from the Jeff Bezos-founded mega-retailer. And they’re willing to offer impressive discounts to do it.</p><p><strong>Best kitchen deal:</strong> <br> Anyday Glass Round Dish Set and Cookbook Bundle</p><p><strong>Best home deal:</strong> <br> Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Towels</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Amazon Small business Shopping trips E-commerce Technology Travel Shopping Shops and shopping Food Homes Fashion Beauty Headphones Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:53:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/24/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales Photograph: Courtesy Photos Photograph: Courtesy Photos Photograph: Courtesy Photos Marissa Miller 2026-06-24T14:53:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/titanium-always-pan-pro-our-place-sale <p>Our Place’s ultra-durable titanium pans can handle 1,000F heat and the dishwasher. They’re currently up to 42% off for Prime Day</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>Are you trying to cut down on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/25/what-are-pfas-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-forever-chemicals-surrounding-us-every-day">Pfas forever chemicals</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/apr/14/plastic-pfas-microplastic-free-kitchen-tools">microplastics</a> in your kitchen? Now’s a great time to upgrade: the pan that won our test of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/feb/21/best-non-toxic-pans">best non-toxic pans</a> is now on sale. The premium chrome and gold version of Our Place’s <a href="https://fromourplace.com/products/titanium-always-pan-pro?variant=44971577901250">Titanium Always Pan Pro</a> is 10% off for Prime Day, while other bestselling pieces are discounted by as much as 42%.</p><p>To figure out the winner, our partners at the Drexel Food Lab spent two weeks in a commercial kitchen testing 13 pans made without Pfas, PFOA, BPA and PTFE. They evaluated each for heat rate, heat retention and nonstick performance across a range of cooking and baking tasks before naming the <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=114047X1771840&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Ftitanium-always-pan-pro&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fthefilter-us%2F2026%2Ffeb%2F21%2Fbest-non-toxic-pans&amp;xcust=referrer%7Cwww.theguardian.com%7CaccountId%7C114047X1771840%7CabTestParticipations%7Cfeast-recipe-nudge%3Avariant-1%2Cnewsletters-signup-card-country-illustration%3AvariantIllustratedCard%2Cgrowth-auxia-banner%3Avariant%7CcomponentId%7Cproduct-link-block">10.5-inch Always Pan Pro</a> the best overall.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/feb/21/best-non-toxic-pans">The seven best non-toxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/titanium-always-pan-pro-our-place-sale">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Pfas Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:53:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/titanium-always-pan-pro-our-place-sale Photograph: Courtesy of Our Place Photograph: Courtesy of Our Place Photograph: Courtesy of Our Place Karen Yuan 2026-06-18T19:53:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/airpods-pro-3-sale <p>They cancel noise, track your heart rate, even double as hearing aids, and Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are on a rare sale right now</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-prime-day-deals-sales-2026">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>Some rare spectacles require perfect timing to witness, such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/hawaii-kilauea-volcano-eruption">Kīlauea’s eruption</a> in Hawaii or the Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years. Oh, and sales on Apple products.</p><p>The world’s biggest tech company is notoriously stingy with discounts, especially on new products, and the AirPods Pro 3 remain full price on its site. But Best Buy is currently offering the AirPods Pro 3 <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-airpods-pro-3-wireless-active-noise-cancelling-earbuds-with-heart-rate-sensing-feature-white/JJGCQLYK5F/sku/6376563">on sale for $179.99</a>, down from $249. The discount is a bit of a anomaly – the type you’d typically see on an ageing Apple product that’s about to be replaced, but the AirPods Pro 3 are less than a year old.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/airpods-pro-3-sale">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:15:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/18/airpods-pro-3-sale Photograph: Courtesy of Best Buy Photograph: Courtesy of Best Buy Photograph: Courtesy of Best Buy Nick Mokey 2026-06-18T21:15:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/feb/21/best-non-toxic-pans <p>From Our Place to Caraway, we tested 13 nonstick pans free of harmful Pfas chemicals. Here’s how well they stand up to high heat and everyday cooking</p><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/25/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-sales-discounts">40+ best Prime Day deals</a> – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jun/23/best-alternatives-prime-day-deals-sales">20+ best deals from Amazon competitors</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things</a></p></li></ul><p>So-called non-toxic pans are often under a microscope. If you go down an internet rabbit hole about “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/07/how-to-remove-pfas-microplastics-chemicals-kitchen">toxic cookware</a>,” you’ll find scary phrases about heavy metals, chemical coatings and something called polymer flume fever. It’s enough to make you side-eye the skillet you use every morning.</p><p>What’s actually going on? At the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2025/oct/06/instant-drip-coffee-taste-test">Drexel Food Lab</a>, we investigate questions like these. When we started our search for the best non-toxic pans, we immediately reached out to our best colleague for defining toxicity: Dr Caroline Schauer, head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jan/09/best-induction-cookware">The seven best induction cookware sets</a></p><p><strong>Best overall:<br></strong>Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro</p><p><strong>Best budget:<br></strong>Lodge Cast Iron</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/feb/21/best-non-toxic-pans">Continue reading...</a> Food Life and style Shopping trips Shops and shopping Pfas Health & wellbeing Plastic free Sat, 21 Feb 2026 17:15:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/feb/21/best-non-toxic-pans Photograph: Courtesy of: Smithey; Lodge Cast Iron; Caraway; Our Place Photograph: Courtesy of: Smithey; Lodge Cast Iron; Caraway; Our Place Photograph: Courtesy of: Smithey; Lodge Cast Iron; Caraway; Our Place Rachel Sherman, Faustina Boakye, Thea Bertneski, Dorothea West, Jonathan Bush, Cricket Lowell and Jonathan Deutsch 2026-02-21T17:15:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/21/preventive-health-screening <p>Screenings can find treatable conditions before they have caused too much damage – but ‘overscreening’ can cause harm</p><p>I couldn’t help but roll my eyes when the tech entrepreneur and longevity influencer Bryan Johnson <a href="https://x.com/bryan_johnson/status/2049688286126559372?lang=en">posted</a> about his girlfriend’s “vaginal microbiome report” in April. (He said it was in the “top 1% of vaginas”.) While the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/apr/29/vaginal-microbiome-probiotics-marketing">vaginal microbiome</a> is genuinely interesting, most clinicians don’t routinely recommend this test to patients.</p><p>As medical technology has become more powerful – and more marketable – the line between helpful screening and unnecessary testing has blurred.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/21/preventive-health-screening">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Health Medicine Life and style Society Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:00:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/21/preventive-health-screening Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Keren Landman 2026-06-21T16:00:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/18/midlife-crisis-researcher <p>We often think of midlife as terrible or uneventful. This psychologist says we can be optimistic</p><p>For years, midlife has been associated with one word: crisis. Margie Lachman wants us to see opportunity instead.</p><p>Lachman, a lifespan developmental <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/psychology">psychologist</a>, has been studying what goes on between the ages of 40 and 60 for more than 30 years, as an investigator on the landmark <a href="https://midus.wisc.edu/overview/">Midlife in the United States study</a>. The study has tracked thousands of adults since 1994, exploring how their lives, health and perspective changed. Before joining the project, Lachman was about to turn 40 herself. “I went through midlife as we were studying midlife,” she says.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/18/midlife-crisis-researcher">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Life and style Ageing US news Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/18/midlife-crisis-researcher Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Elle Hunt 2026-06-18T16:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/17/adult-sticker-charts-motivation <p>From doing chores to staying away from exes, some adults are buying sticker charts to help stick to their goals</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/17/is-it-ok-to-date-a-friends-ex">Tell us: is it OK to date a friend’s ex? We want to hear from you</a></p></li></ul><p>There is a sticker chart on the kitchen cupboard in the Gray family home in Birmingham, England – the two Gray children, aged four and 10, get excited when it’s time to add another gold star. But they aren’t being rewarded for brushing their teeth or learning their spellings; this is someone else’s chart entirely.</p><p>“They know that mommy gets a gold star when she goes to the gym,” says Bek Gray, a 33-year-old healthcare professional who has been using sticker charts to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/26/expert-motivation-tips-gym-to-do-list">motivate herself</a> for one and a half years.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/17/adult-sticker-charts-motivation">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Life and style Psychology Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/17/adult-sticker-charts-motivation Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Amelia Tait 2026-06-17T16:00:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/16/why-swimming-makes-you-feel-like-peeing <p>It doesn’t matter if you drink less or use the restroom beforehand. Experts say it happens to all swimmers</p><p>I’m midway into my hour-long swim when it hits: I<em> really</em> have to pee. This always happens. It doesn’t help to curb my morning coffee or use the restroom beforehand. My bladder doesn’t care.</p><p>Why does this happen? “It’s a normal physiological response by the body to being immersed in water,” says <a href="https://search.asu.edu/profile/3335553">Dr Stavros Kavouras</a>, assistant dean, professor of nutrition and director of the Hydration Science Lab at Arizona State University. And it’s not just me: “It’s something that happens to all swimmers.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/16/why-swimming-makes-you-feel-like-peeing">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Swimming Fitness Life and style Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/16/why-swimming-makes-you-feel-like-peeing Illustration: Alvaro Dominguez/Guardian Design / Getty Images Illustration: Alvaro Dominguez/Guardian Design / Getty Images Illustration: Alvaro Dominguez/Guardian Design / Getty Images Marlene Cimons 2026-06-16T16:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/moment-changed-me-telegram-arrived-choose-head-heart <p>Should I follow the man of my dreams to work in a club in Tehran? Or take up a place at an elite university? Thankfully, my dad gave me advice I’ve lived by ever since </p><p>My parents did not expect me to land a place at university. I was not considered academic enough. And anyway, I was a girl. Instead, I was being primed for marriage. My mother didn’t see anything wrong with this. Born in Britain between the two world wars, when the scarcity of men had<strong> </strong>made them precious commodities, she had left school at 14, part of a generation often brought up to believe that matrimony was the only guarantee of a secure social and financial future. While romance and indeed love were a bonus, the unwritten clause in a marital contract stipulated that a wife must play her supportive part at home while the husband went out to work. Without the necessary qualifications for the role, the entire agreement risked failure.</p><p>In 1972, I was at college studying for my A-levels, but in the holidays my mother enlisted me on various “finishing” courses. Her intention was that I acquire the domestic skills to enhance my spousal eligibility, including how to cook, carve a roast and drive a Jeep to the shops, in case I landed a nice gentry farmer. Only now, almost 40 years after her death, do I realise how much she regretted the lack of educational and career opportunities open to her. Only now do I sympathise with her subconscious envy when they were offered to her daughter.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/moment-changed-me-telegram-arrived-choose-head-heart">Continue reading...</a> Education Life and style Universities Parents and parenting University of Oxford Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:45:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/moment-changed-me-telegram-arrived-choose-head-heart Photograph: Courtesy of Juliet Nicolson Photograph: Courtesy of Juliet Nicolson Photograph: Courtesy of Juliet Nicolson Juliet Nicolson 2026-06-24T05:45:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/22/kindness-of-strangers-we-were-hurtling-away-on-the-wrong-train-with-a-baby-in-tow-then-a-gentleman-offered-to-help <p>This was 1983, so there was no Google Maps. All I could think to do was shout down the carriage, ‘Does anyone here speak English? We’re lost!’</p><ul><li><p>Read more in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/kindness-of-strangers">the Kindness of strangers series</a></p></li></ul><p>I was visiting the Netherlands with a friend and her nine-month-old baby, accompanying mum and bub as her husband had been unable to travel with her. We were based in Amsterdam but had ventured out by train to Utrecht to visit her aunt for lunch. After a pleasant afternoon we boarded a train home, full of confidence.</p><p>As my friend was preoccupied with her son, I sat gazing out the window. As station after station relieved the train of its passengers, I began to wonder if we were actually heading to Amsterdam. The scenery didn’t look familiar. I held my tongue until I was sure we were heading the wrong way; then I finally spoke up.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/22/kindness-of-strangers-we-were-hurtling-away-on-the-wrong-train-with-a-baby-in-tow-then-a-gentleman-offered-to-help">Continue reading...</a> Australian lifestyle Europe holidays Life and style Rail travel Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:00:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/22/kindness-of-strangers-we-were-hurtling-away-on-the-wrong-train-with-a-baby-in-tow-then-a-gentleman-offered-to-help Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design/Alamy Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design/Alamy Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design/Alamy Libby Semple, as told to Katie Cunningham 2026-06-21T15:00:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/20/blind-date-alex-ellie <p>Alex, 45, a product lead in tech, meets Ellie, 35, a TV producer</p><p><strong>What were you hoping for?</strong><br> To meet someone kind and have an&nbsp;enjoyable evening with someone I&nbsp;maybe wouldn’t ordinarily choose for&nbsp;myself.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/20/blind-date-alex-ellie">Continue reading...</a> Dating Relationships Life and style Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/20/blind-date-alex-ellie Photograph: Josh Adam Jones/The Guardian Photograph: Josh Adam Jones/The Guardian Photograph: Josh Adam Jones/The Guardian Guardian Staff 2026-06-20T05:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/19/engaged-my-sister-is-single-feels-behind <p>How you respond will depend on who expects you to manage your sister’s emotions, writes advice columnist <strong>Eleanor Gordon-Smith</strong>.<strong> </strong>Is it her, or something you’ve put on yourself?</p><ul><li><p>Read more <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/leading-questions">Leading questions</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>I’m engaged and my sister is single and feels “behind”. Lately she mentioned how the people in her life (me included) going through milestone moments triggers her</strong><strong>. She even got upset and admitted she was worried she’d never have kids. What can I say to that? How do you comfort someone who wants the things you have or might have soon?<br><br> She has felt behind for a long time, and I’ve had many a conversation with her when she’s got upset about still living at home, still not having the career she wants, etc. But she is still in the same situation, and my empathy is running low. Especially now I know my engagement is triggering for her! I deserve to feel happy during my wedding planning era but after she told me how she felt, I feel guilty for being happy.<br><br> I guess my question is: do I tiptoe around her and avoid wedding talk or should she just put a smile on her face and talk to her friend about her triggers? I hate to say it but my mental load is preferring the latter.</strong></p><p><em><strong>Eleanor says: </strong></em>Why are the options that you tiptoe around or she puts a smile on her face?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/19/engaged-my-sister-is-single-feels-behind">Continue reading...</a> Family Australian lifestyle Weddings Life and style Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:08 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/19/engaged-my-sister-is-single-feels-behind Photograph: Département des Peintures Photograph: Département des Peintures Photograph: Département des Peintures Eleanor Gordon-Smith 2026-06-18T15:00:08Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/25/the-dawn-of-the-designer-baby-podcast <p><strong>Jenny Kleeman</strong> investigates ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie, the controversial entrepreneur hoping to revolutionise human reproduction by letting parents edit their embryos</p><p>Meet Cathy Tie: serial entrepreneur, self-described “Biotech Barbie”, and the woman aiming to revolutionise reproduction by using Crispr to edit human embryos.</p><p>Beneath the tech-startup polish lies a provocative mission: to take the biological lottery out of the hands of nature and place it into the hands of parents.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/25/the-dawn-of-the-designer-baby-podcast">Continue reading...</a> Gene editing Biology Biotechnology industry Science Genetics Thu, 25 Jun 2026 02:00:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/25/the-dawn-of-the-designer-baby-podcast Photograph: Caroll Taveras/The Guardian Photograph: Caroll Taveras/The Guardian Photograph: Caroll Taveras/The Guardian Presented by Helen Pidd with Jenny Kleeman; produced by Casey Magloire, Tom Glasser and Ross Burns; executive producer Eli Block 2026-06-25T02:00:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/exercise-miracle-cure-expert-tips-protect-your-joints <p>Life is much easier if you look after your hips, knees, elbows and shoulders – especially as you get older. Rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons explain how to work out, what to eat and how to talk to your doctor</p><p>Our bodies are incredible machines, but we can take the mechanics for granted until something goes wrong. How can we maintain healthy joints throughout life and avoid surgery? Here, rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons give their tips …</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/exercise-miracle-cure-expert-tips-protect-your-joints">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Fitness Health Health & wellbeing Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/24/exercise-miracle-cure-expert-tips-protect-your-joints Composite: Guardian Design; Laura Olivas; Chris Winter/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Laura Olivas; Chris Winter/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design; Laura Olivas; Chris Winter/Getty Images Sarah Phillips 2026-06-24T11:00:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2026/jun/25/nature-or-nurture-can-genes-shape-our-behaviour-podcast <p>How much do our genes determine about our lives, and could they influence traits like risk-taking, antisocial behaviour or even violence? Ian Sample talks to Kathryn Paige Harden, a behavioural geneticist and professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin who studies how genetic factors shape human behaviour. In her book Original Sin she explores how nature and nurture combine to influence our likelihood of committing crimes, and asks whether the ‘cause’ of our actions matters for how we think about culpability</p><p><strong><a href="https://guardianbookshop.com/original-sin-9781399604338/">Order Original Sin from the Guardian bookshop</a></strong></p><p>Support the Guardian: <a href="http://theguardian.com/sciencepod">theguardian.com/sciencepod</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2026/jun/25/nature-or-nurture-can-genes-shape-our-behaviour-podcast">Continue reading...</a> Science Genetics Biology Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2026/jun/25/nature-or-nurture-can-genes-shape-our-behaviour-podcast Photograph: Tek Image/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Photograph: Tek Image/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Photograph: Tek Image/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Presented by Ian Sample, sound design by Ross Burns, the executive producer was Ellie Bury 2026-06-25T04:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/22/how-to-start-mobility-practice <p>Mobility can’t be tracked on a leaderboard, but it can help you feel better and make daily tasks easier</p><p>Fitness is often measured through numbers: how much weight a person can lift, or how fast or far they can run. But one important metric is harder to quantify: mobility.</p><p>Mobility gets overlooked, because the relevant exercises do not “have the instant visual appeal of traditional workouts”, says Tyler McDonald, certified personal trainer and senior brand manager for the National Academy of Sports Medicine.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/jan/02/how-to-start-meditating">How to start meditating</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/jan/09/weightlifting-tips-beginner-strength-training">How to start weightlifting</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/jan/16/the-dreaded-b-word-how-to-start-budgeting">How to start budgeting</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/mar/20/how-to-start-sunning">How to start running</a></p><p><strong>90/90 hip switches</strong>: Sit on the floor with the front leg bent at a 90-degree angle (thigh out in front of you and calf perpendicular to you) and the back leg bent at a 90-degree angle (thigh out to the side, calf roughly parallel to you). Slowly rotate your knees to the opposite side without lifting your feet off the floor. “This is fantastic for opening tight hips,” McDonald says.</p><p><strong>Cat-cow stretch</strong>. With your hands and knees on the ground, arch your back towards the ceiling, dropping your head between your arms. Then, slowly drop your back and raise your head and glutes towards the ceiling. This helps with spine mobility.</p><p><strong>World’s greatest stretch. </strong>Yes, this stretch has quite the name, but for good reason. Start in a plank. Bring the right leg forward into a low lunge position. Stretch the right arm overhead towards the ceiling, twisting the upper body. Then, bring the right hand behind the head and attempt to touch the ground with the right elbow. “It hits your hips, hamstrings and upper back all at once, making it incredibly efficient,” says McDonald.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/22/how-to-start-mobility-practice">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Fitness Life and style Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jun/22/how-to-start-mobility-practice Illustration: Carmen Casado/The Guardian Illustration: Carmen Casado/The Guardian Illustration: Carmen Casado/The Guardian Madeleine Aggeler 2026-06-22T16:00:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/jess-cartner-morley-fashion-slouchy-jeans-short-jacket-the-new-power-suit <p>Update the classic outfit when you want to look slick and office-appropriate … in a low-key, faux-effortless kind of way</p><p>Jeans and a nice top is a tried-and-tested formula when it comes to dressing for an evening out. It is the little black dress of real life. A local dinner, an outing to&nbsp;the theatre or cinema, a birthday gathering in the pub: these do not require a cocktail dress. Still, you want&nbsp;to look nice. So you wear jeans and a nice top.</p><p>If jeans and a nice top is the real life LBD, then jeans and a jacket is the normcore power suit. It is the no-nonsense, I’ve-got-this formula you need for daytime. It is an outfit that comes together in seconds and keeps&nbsp;on looking good and feeling comfortable for hours. It is grown up&nbsp;but not stiff, alpha but not snooty. It is – and this is important in our capricious climate, and when your commute can take you straight from overheated train carriage to chiller-cabinet level air conditioning – pitched neither too warm nor too cold, and offers flexibility. (You are wearing something under the jacket, you see. We will get to that.)</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/jess-cartner-morley-fashion-slouchy-jeans-short-jacket-the-new-power-suit">Continue reading...</a> Fashion Jeans Women's coats and jackets Life and style Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:16:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/jess-cartner-morley-fashion-slouchy-jeans-short-jacket-the-new-power-suit Photograph: David Newby/The Guardian Photograph: David Newby/The Guardian Photograph: David Newby/The Guardian Jess Cartner-Morley 2026-06-24T14:16:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/my-wild-week-wearing-new-wig-every-day-blond-pink-curly-cropped <p>Glamorous, fashion-forward, fun – wigs are everywhere you look, with celebrities leading the way. But should you go for something flamboyant, or a more natural style? Time to test-drive a few</p><p>‘I think it’s the word – ‘wig’!” says Melanie Burrell, scrunching up her nose. “I prefer ‘hairpiece’.” It’s part of the reason why, when she opened her wig business in Glasgow in 2010, she called it Parrucche – the Italian word for “wigs” being a little more discreet, especially when it came to signage.</p><p>But the stigma once associated with wig wearing is quickly diminishing. Outside of Black and queer communities, where using hairpieces has long been commonplace, wigs were once associated with attempts to conceal hair-loss, or for fancy dress. But in recent years, their appeal has broadened. According to data insights company Statista, the global wigs and hair extensions market is <a href="https://www.statista.com/serp?q=wigs&amp;searchId=019eef04-bd67-73ce-b9aa-53124d17e3ec">predicted to reach $13.28bn</a> this year. For men, toupees, now more commonly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/mar/26/bald-toupee-hair-transplants-hairpieces-glued">known as “hair systems</a>”, are part of this resurgence.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/my-wild-week-wearing-new-wig-every-day-blond-pink-curly-cropped">Continue reading...</a> Women's hair Beauty Fashion Life and style Celebrity Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/my-wild-week-wearing-new-wig-every-day-blond-pink-curly-cropped Composite: Linda Nylind Composite: Linda Nylind Composite: Linda Nylind Leah Harper 2026-06-24T04:00:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/dior-mashes-up-laid-back-indie-sleaze-elegant-luxury-jonathan-anderson <p>Jonathan Anderson’s golden touch is on display in Paris with mix of metallics, brooches and ripped jeans</p><p>Fashion brands were tuned to the weather forecast in Paris in the run-up to the menswear shows this week – and aware temperatures would reach 40C on Wednesday. This weekend a decision was made – the Christian Dior show, originally scheduled for the afternoon, would be moved to 9am, to avoid the heat of the day.</p><p>The change in time certainly made the experience more palatable – as did (in possibly a fashion-week first) the cool towels handed to guests on arrival, umbrellas to block out the sun and personalised fans on seats. In the grounds of the grand Musée Nissim de Camondo, which is under renovation to reopen in 2030, those in the garden even had the benefit of the occasional breeze.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/dior-mashes-up-laid-back-indie-sleaze-elegant-luxury-jonathan-anderson">Continue reading...</a> Dior Men's fashion Fashion Paris Fashion weeks Paris fashion week France Europe Life and style Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:23:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/24/dior-mashes-up-laid-back-indie-sleaze-elegant-luxury-jonathan-anderson Photograph: Pixelformula/Sipa/Shutterstock Photograph: Pixelformula/Sipa/Shutterstock Photograph: Pixelformula/Sipa/Shutterstock Lauren Cochrane in Paris 2026-06-24T14:23:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/21/prada-design-duo-minimalist-vision-milan-fashion-week <p>Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons say Milan fashion week collection demonstrates rejection of ‘useless design’</p><p>Speaking backstage before the Prada show at Milan fashion week on Sunday, the co-designers Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons described their latest collection as “breaking the perception of what is perceived as typical luxury in high fashion right now”.</p><p>This was a purified version of Prada. The design duo called it a “rejection of experimental shapes, techniques and decoration” distilling the collection to pieces that are “intentional and meaningful”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/21/prada-design-duo-minimalist-vision-milan-fashion-week">Continue reading...</a> Milan fashion week Prada Fashion Life and style World news Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:22:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jun/21/prada-design-duo-minimalist-vision-milan-fashion-week Photograph: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters Photograph: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters Photograph: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters Chloe Mac Donnell in Milan 2026-06-21T16:22:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/24/ageing-at-home-cost-renovations-tips <p>Safety concerns, caregiving needs, and, of course, finances all come into play when considering aging-in-place at home</p><p>My mom is the model boomer. At 77 years old, she runs her interior design business, organizes a book club, plays pickleball and dominates in mahjong. She is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/mar/03/health-tips-70s-longevity">picture of health</a>; good luck matching the pace on her 5 mile walks. As is the trend for her generation, mom and her 83-year-old husband have chosen to continue living right where they are at home.</p><p>Circumstances led her to make age-in-place plans well ahead of her peers. When my dad died unexpectedly 22 years ago, my mom found herself widowed at 55 and living alone in a two-story, four-bedroom home. Mom wanted to remain in her community, so she downsized into a smart townhouse with a first-floor bedroom and bath, and nearby shops.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/24/ageing-at-home-cost-renovations-tips">Continue reading...</a> Well actually Life and style Ageing Health Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:00:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/jun/24/ageing-at-home-cost-renovations-tips Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Laura House 2026-06-24T16:00:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/24/job-dropping-why-employees-are-turning-down-high-paying-promotions <p>Climbing the career ladder may soon be a thing of the past, as workers prioritise their mental health and lifestyle. But job-dropping has its drawbacks …</p><p><strong>Name:</strong> Job-dropping.</p><p><strong>Age:</strong> About a month.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/24/job-dropping-why-employees-are-turning-down-high-paying-promotions">Continue reading...</a> Work & careers US work & careers Life and style Social trends Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:20:21 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jun/24/job-dropping-why-employees-are-turning-down-high-paying-promotions Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-06-24T15:20:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-253 <p>Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?</p><p>Thursday quiz fans inundated our mailbox with at least two messages pointing out that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/22/john-oliver-feral-hogs">John Oliver had opened his HBO show discussing the problem of feral hogs</a>, of which there are significantly more than between 30 and 50 in the US. If he starts opening shows talking about Sparks, Kate Bush, Syldavia and Alan Shearer’s fixations on distances, we truly will know where he gets his material from, and the Thursday quiz lawyers are ready. In the meantime, here are 15 questions on topical news, general knowledge and pop culture to see you on towards the weekend. Let us know how you got on in the comments. <em>Allons-y!</em></p><p><strong>The Thursday news quiz, No 253</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-253">Continue reading...</a> Life and style Quiz and trivia games Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/25/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-253 Illustration: Anaïs Mims/The Guardian Illustration: Anaïs Mims/The Guardian Illustration: Anaïs Mims/The Guardian Martin Belam 2026-06-25T05:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jun/25/weatherwatch-uk-firm-volcanotech-low-cost-sensor <p>VolcanoTech’s sulphur dioxide detecting sensors are in already in use in a number of countries</p><p>Weather forecasts now include air quality warnings and cities have networks of air quality sensors driving real-time maps online.</p><p>Similar air quality sensors can warn of an imminent volcanic eruption. Just as a fizzy drink releases carbon dioxide when the pressure is released, rising magma emits dissolved sulphur dioxide as it rises. So a big increase in this gas warns that a volcanic eruption may be imminent.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jun/25/weatherwatch-uk-firm-volcanotech-low-cost-sensor">Continue reading...</a> Volcanoes UK news Technology World news Raspberry Pi Air pollution Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jun/25/weatherwatch-uk-firm-volcanotech-low-cost-sensor Photograph: Mexico’S National Center For Disaster Prevention/Reuters Photograph: Mexico’S National Center For Disaster Prevention/Reuters Photograph: Mexico’S National Center For Disaster Prevention/Reuters David Hambling 2026-06-25T05:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2026/jun/09/how-do-you-give-britains-hidden-army-a-break-is-mum-ok-documentary <p>Aiden is an unforgettable young caregiver in Walthamstow, east London, who has been looking after his mum for over half his life. Every few weeks, Aiden and other young carers get a rare night off thanks to tenacious council worker Satvinder, who fights to improve the recognition of young carers in her borough. This film joins them as they reclaim a few hours of their teenage lives back.</p><p>Is Mum OK? is released during <a href="https://www.carersweek.org/">Carers Week</a> in the UK, a campaign that celebrates unpaid carers across the country and calls for better recognition and support for them. There are more than one million young carers in the UK – with an average age of 12 – which is the equivalent of two kids in every school class.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2026/jun/09/how-do-you-give-britains-hidden-army-a-break-is-mum-ok-documentary">Continue reading...</a> Society Carers UK news London Schools Education School attendance and absence Social care Documentary films Documentary Film Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:31:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/ng-interactive/2026/jun/09/how-do-you-give-britains-hidden-army-a-break-is-mum-ok-documentary Photograph: Guardian documentaries Photograph: Guardian documentaries Photograph: Guardian documentaries Rosie Morris, Rebecca Mark-Lawson, Ekaterina Ochagavia and Lindsay Poulton 2026-06-09T09:31:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/china-spacesail-rival-elon-musk-starlink-space-satelites-low-earth-orbit <p>The company has just a few hundred satellites in low Earth orbit but has state backing and is already reportedly negotiating with dozens of countries</p><p>Elon Musk’s Starlink has long dominated the satellite internet industry, but a Chinese government-backed project is aiming to challenge its position.</p><p>SpaceSail has just a few hundred satellites in low Earth orbit compared with Starlink’s 10,000-plus. But the company says it now has enough satellites to begin its first commercial application, is scaling up at speed, and is reportedly negotiating with dozens of countries to provide satellite internet coverage.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/china-spacesail-rival-elon-musk-starlink-space-satelites-low-earth-orbit">Continue reading...</a> China Space Elon Musk Technology Satellites Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:02:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/china-spacesail-rival-elon-musk-starlink-space-satelites-low-earth-orbit Photograph: VCG/Getty Images Photograph: VCG/Getty Images Photograph: VCG/Getty Images Alastair McCready in Taipei 2026-06-25T01:02:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/customer-service-us-consumers <p>Experts say consolidation and market power have left consumers paying more for less</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/20/guardian-readers-consumer-battles">How do people in the US describe customer service in 2026?</a></p></li></ul><p>When Delta Airlines charged Marie Duggan, an economic historian visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, $1,200 to change a scheduled flight to the United States, she was so angry she cancelled and booked a cross-border night-time bus ride instead.</p><p>Duggan thought Delta’s price increase to fly to Phoenix instead of San Francisco, at twice the price of a one-way flight to Phoenix, was an insult and a rip-off. So she took a $250 flight on Aeromexico to Hermosillo, in the north-western state of Sonora, and then a $59 bus across the Mexico border.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/customer-service-us-consumers">Continue reading...</a> Business US news Airline industry Telecoms US economy World news Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jun/24/customer-service-us-consumers Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images Heather Timmons 2026-06-24T11:00:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/future-of-america-after-250-years-tell-us <p>As the country reaches this historic milestone, we would like to hear from people in the US on how they are feeling about the country’s future</p><p>The United States will mark 250 years since declaring independence from the British on 4 July, with commemorations in Washington DC <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/07/trump-america-birthday-us-monuments">overseen by Donald Trump</a> and a series of events planned across the National Mall.</p><p>The milestone also comes at a turbulent moment for the country. Internationally, the Trump administration has<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2026/apr/01/trump-lashes-out-at-nato-will-europe-stand-up-to-him-the-latest"> moved away</a> from some longstanding European allies while navigating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/21/trump-iran-deal-bipartisan-criticism">ongoing tensions</a> in the Middle East.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/future-of-america-after-250-years-tell-us">Continue reading...</a> US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:41:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/future-of-america-after-250-years-tell-us Photograph: J David Ake/Getty Images Photograph: J David Ake/Getty Images Photograph: J David Ake/Getty Images Guardian community team 2026-06-25T13:41:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/tell-us-were-you-born-on-4-july <p>We are looking to hear from people born on 4 July about what it means to share a birthday with the US when it turns 250 years old</p><p>The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary of its independence on 4 July, marking a milestone in the nation’s history with events and commemorations across the country.</p><p>For some Americans, however, the date carries a more personal significance: it’s also <em>their</em> birthday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/tell-us-were-you-born-on-4-july">Continue reading...</a> US news Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:41:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/tell-us-were-you-born-on-4-july Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock Guardian community team 2026-06-25T13:41:45Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/17/is-it-ok-to-date-a-friends-ex <p>Have you ever dated a friend’s ex or had a friend date your ex? How did it affect those relationships?</p><p>Life is full of big, messy questions. How should we spend our limited time on Earth? What is the nature of good and evil? And the thorniest of all: is it OK to date a friend’s ex?</p><p>This last has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/29/dear-mariella-i-am-dating-my-best-friends-ex-and-she-wont-speak-to-me">explored and tirelessly litigated</a> in countless group chats, at brunches and cocktail parties.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/17/is-it-ok-to-date-a-friends-ex">Continue reading...</a> Relationships Life and style Dating Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:35:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/17/is-it-ok-to-date-a-friends-ex Photograph: skynesher/Getty Images Photograph: skynesher/Getty Images Photograph: skynesher/Getty Images Guardian community team 2026-06-17T14:35:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/cape-verdeans-thoughts-world-cup-2026-performance-so-far <p>We would like to hear from Cape Verdeans in the UK and across the globe on the team’s progress in the tournament</p><p>Cape Verde is enjoying a<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/cape-verde-uruguay-world-cup-group-h-match-report"> fairytale World Cup</a>, with their performance becoming the story of the tournament.</p><p>There was the shock 0-0 draw with Spain in their tournament debut. Then on Sunday, there was another when they drew 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay in Miami. This now puts them in serious contention for a place in the knockouts.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/cape-verdeans-thoughts-world-cup-2026-performance-so-far">Continue reading...</a> World Cup 2026 Cape Verde Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:23:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/cape-verdeans-thoughts-world-cup-2026-performance-so-far Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images Guardian community team 2026-06-22T10:23:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/16/sign-up-for-stuart-russells-newsletter <p>Get Stuart Russell’s latest columns delivered straight to your inbox</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/16/sign-up-for-stuart-russells-newsletter">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:33:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/16/sign-up-for-stuart-russells-newsletter Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2026-06-16T17:33:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox <p>Get the most important news as it breaks</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:09:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2026-02-17T13:09:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products <p>Every week, get smart and thoughtful shopping tips from the Filter US team.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:26:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/sep/09/sign-up-to-the-filter-us-our-newsletter-guide-to-buying-fewer-better-products Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Guardian Staff 2025-09-09T15:26:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/24/sign-up-for-the-detox-your-kitchen-newsletter-your-guide-to-avoiding-chemicals-in-your-food <p>This seven-week course will teach you easy steps to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in your food and kitchen - from mercury to PFAS.<strong> </strong>Created with Consumer Reports, the leading independent consumer organization in the US</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/24/sign-up-for-the-detox-your-kitchen-newsletter-your-guide-to-avoiding-chemicals-in-your-food">Continue reading...</a> Newsletter sign-up Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:29:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/24/sign-up-for-the-detox-your-kitchen-newsletter-your-guide-to-avoiding-chemicals-in-your-food Photograph: Sean Dong Photograph: Sean Dong Photograph: Sean Dong Guardian Staff 2025-01-24T15:29:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/jun/25/mallorcan-sunrise-flustered-king-photos-of-the-day-thursday <p>The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/jun/25/mallorcan-sunrise-flustered-king-photos-of-the-day-thursday">Continue reading...</a> World news UK news Photography King Charles III Europe weather Extreme heat Art and design Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:52:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/jun/25/mallorcan-sunrise-flustered-king-photos-of-the-day-thursday Composite: PA Composite: PA Composite: PA Arnel Hecimovic 2026-06-25T11:52:32Z