Lululemon apologises after Japanese drum row at Great Wall yoga event 17. June 2026 (12:10) Online uproar follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese cultureThe activewear brand Lululemon has apologised after a promotional event held on the Great Wall of China appeared to mistakenly feature a Japanese drum, prompting an uproar.The Canadian-headquartered company, known for its upmarket leggings, has been growing rapidly in China and arranged for a yoga festival to take place in late May on a section of the wall near Beijing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: leaders at G7 issue joint statement calling for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Lebanon to secure US-Iran deal 17. June 2026 (11:49) Israel’s continued military operation in southern Lebanon puts at risk the agreement reached between Iran and the US on SundayFull report: Iran says peace deal dependent on Israel’s withdrawal from LebanonAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Meanwhile, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte hailed the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war, saying the planned reopening of the strait of Hormuz would be a “massive step forward”.“I know that many allies, through the initiative led by France and the United Kingdom, are ready to support,” Rutte told a press conference in Brussels.We welcome the announcement of a deal between the United States and Iran, secured under the strong leadership of President Trump, with the support of mediating countries, which provides an historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapon and tackling the threats related to its regional and ballistic activities. We support and are ready to contribute to its implementation.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live 17. June 2026 (11:48) The secretary general said the bloc continues to ‘face a dynamic security environment’Rutte says the adjustment in the US pledge to the Nato Force Model is “not primarily about where forces and assets are currently, but about who would do what if our defence plans were activated.”He says historically the model was “overly reliant” on the US.“You will likely have seen news adjusting its contributions to the Nato force model. In some cases, this has been cast as a problem, as the US pulling away from its allies, but that is not the reality. The US has made clear that it is committed to Nato.That commitment comes with an expectation that allies will more fairly share the responsibility for our security here in Europe.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vietnam police rescue hundreds of cats stolen for meat by animal crime ring 17. June 2026 (11:39) Major operation launched after spate of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City, according to local mediaPolice in Vietnam have rescued more than 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring in Ho Chi Minh City, according to animal welfare groups and local media reports.More than 40 cats were reunited with their owners after the multiday operation last week, but several dozen of those rescued have died due to the harsh conditions that they were found in, the groups said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour came to power with no big idea for relations with EU, says former top diplomat 17. June 2026 (11:27) Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, says party’s ideas did not ‘remotely measure up’ to challengeUK politics live – latest updatesLabour arrived in power with no big idea on the future relationship with the EU, a former British ambassador to Brussels has said.Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, said Labour presented “a ragbag of issues” on the EU in its manifesto, which didn’t “remotely measure up to the challenge of the times” and would “make no measurable difference to the UK macroeconomy”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Surprisingly benign UK inflation data signals a softer Iran war hit than feared 17. June 2026 (11:27) War’s impact on UK cost of living more muted than first forecast suggesting fuel price rises have failed to spill out more widely across UK plcUK inflation stays at 2.8% as slowing food prices offset transport costsBusiness live – latest updatesAs soon as Iran choked off oil supplies through the strait of Hormuz at the start of March, there were dire warnings about rocketing UK inflation and the drastic action the Bank of England might take to rein it in.At one point, investors were expecting as many as three quarter-point rises in interest rates before the end of the year – a sharp turnaround from earlier forecasts of rate cuts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two children dead after pram hit by car in Sydney 17. June 2026 (11:10) Police officers found two children – both aged under five – had been struck by a car in Cabramatta, in the city’s south-westFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo children in a pram have been struck and killed by a car in Sydney’s south-west.Emergency services were called to the intersection of Joseph and Gilbert streets, Cabramatta at about 3.15pm on Wednesday after reports of a crash, New South Wales police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AFP investigates banner stunt during Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club speech 17. June 2026 (11:03) Activist group GetUp claims responsibility for incident, saying ‘we thought the occasion deserved some honesty’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian federal police is investigating a protest incident during Pauline Hanson’s speech at the National Press Club after political activist group GetUp claimed responsibility for the stunt.In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the National Press Club said it had referred the incident to police after concluding none of its own staff were involved. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pauline Hanson makes clear what a One Nation government would be like – it’s an ugly picture 17. June 2026 (11:01) The One Nation leader offered a series of inflammatory statements at the National Press Club that may play well with her supporters but will alarm many othersPauline Hanson says Australia ‘must be monocultural’ in National Press Club speechGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFor months, voters have been telling anyone who’ll listen that they want Pauline Hanson.Pollsters, journalists and the (current) political establishment have all heard how the major parties are letting down the country and One Nation is the answer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Seven-year-old Abdiqadir was hit in a US airstrike. Without a $750 operation, he may lose his ability to walk 17. June 2026 (11:00) Abdiqadir Salah was pierced by shrapnel in a bombing that killed 12 in Somalia. But as the US denies civilians were hurt they face no hope of compensationRead more: Killed walking home from school: why did Somali children become targets of US drone strikes?A seven-year-old boy who was riddled with shrapnel during a deadly US airstrike in Somalia faces losing his ability to walk unless he has a £750 emergency operation.But Abdiqadir Salah’s family cannot afford the surgery and the US – which refuses to admit that any civilians were killed or injured during its attack six months ago – appears unwilling to pay compensation to those affected by airstrikes in Somalia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
