Wombles set to return after 27 years as IP deal opens door to comeback 16. June 2026 (16:42) Litter-picking creatures emerge from underground for global franchise targeting nostalgic adults and gen AlphaMove over Paddington Bear. After almost 30 years off screen, the Wombles – the furry, litter-picking creatures who live beneath Wimbledon Common – are set for a comeback.The characters, whose motto is “Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish”, are being revived after the consolidation of the brand’s intellectual property rights under The Blair Partnership, which will oversee its global development. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Everyone is angry for different reasons’: scepticism in Iran as peace deal nears 16. June 2026 (15:54) Any sense of relief is offset by doubts over durability of agreement and feelings of betrayal by Trump administrationMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn the rural town of Sirik, in southern Iran, temperatures over the past week have climbed to 45C (113F), and residents were still queueing to fill buckets of water days after US strikes reportedly damaged two drinking water facilities serving nearby villages.Amid the water shortages and the looming fear of war came news of a possible deal between Washington and Tehran. But for those struggling to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, the announcement brought little relief. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sean Penn to direct January 6 drama with Bradley Cooper set to star 16. June 2026 (15:42) Oscar-winning actor to write and direct fact-based movie that will follow a police officer mixed up in 2021 Capitol riotSean Penn will direct a new film about the January 6 riot set to star Bradley Cooper.According to Deadline, the star, who recently won his third Oscar, will bring what’s been described as a “passion project” to the screen and act as both writer and director.This article was amended on 16 June 2026. An earlier version stated that Sean Penn had won two Oscars, not three. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fujitsu chair resigns after ‘woman-related inappropriate conduct’ 16. June 2026 (15:18) Japanese technology company at centre of Post Office IT scandal is negotiating settlement with UK government over faulty softwareBusiness live – latest updatesThe chair of Fujitsu, the Japanese technology firm at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal, has resigned after its board became aware of his “woman-related inappropriate conduct”.The company said on Tuesday that Hidenori Furuta had stepped down after two years in the role. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European leaders urge Trump to host Zelenskyy-Putin talks 16. June 2026 (14:54) Call at G7 summit in France comes as Ukraine president tells US counterpart Kyiv is no longer losing on battlefieldEurope live – latest updatesEuropean leaders at the G7 summit have urged Donald Trump to try to break the deadlock over ending the Ukraine war by taking up the proposal for him to host talks in the US between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.The US president lamented “the great antipathy” between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders that made it difficult to reach a settlement, and vowed to do what he could. He said Moscow “should make a deal”, noting that it had “lost a great many people, just like Ukraine”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ex-defence secretary John Healy delivers resignation speech in Commons - UK politics live 16. June 2026 (14:53) Labour MP is giving his personal statement to MPs after stepping down from cabinetSpeaking to reporters at the G7, Keir Starmer also defended the defence investment plan (DIP) draft that led to John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary last week. Starmer confirmed that Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, is getting some input before the publication of the DIP in its final version.Starmer said:The position on investment in defence is firstly that we increased last year defence spending from 2.3% to 2.6%, that’s the biggest increase since the 1980s, and that means £270bn will be spent this parliament on defence.On top of that [the] defence investment plan which obviously gives us capability for the future. We will put even more money in relation to that. I’ve been really clear that’s required difficult decisions, I have taken the decision to reallocate money from other departments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hundreds of dogs to be sent to rescue as US beagle research facility shuts down 16. June 2026 (14:52) Ridglan Farms facility in Wisconsin was at the center of protests against the practice of using animals for research A beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin that has been the focus of animal rights protests is shutting down, and a rescue group in Florida is taking in the remaining dogs.“Not one dog will remain,” Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida, said in a press conference announcing the news on Monday. “No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oklahoma, Georgia and Washington DC voters head to the polls – US politics live 16. June 2026 (14:50) Oklahoma primary set to test Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican party, while closely watched runoff underway in GeorgiaSign up for the Breaking News US emailLaw enforcement officials disrupted “planned attacks” meant to target the UFC cage fighting show staged at the White House this past weekend, and multiple people were in custody, said FBI director Kash Patel.The nature of the potential threat was not immediately disclosed, with additional details expected to be released once charges are unsealed later today. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Five people detained for alleged ‘planned attacks’ on White House UFC cage fighting show 16. June 2026 (14:38) Details of potential threat were not immediately disclosed, after event was held on Donald Trump’s 80th birthdaySign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailLaw enforcement officials disrupted “planned attacks” meant to target the UFC cage fighting show staged at the White House this past weekend, and multiple people were in custody, said Kash Patel, the FBI director.The nature of the potential threat was not immediately disclosed, with additional details expected to be released once charges are unsealed later Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Algae thwarts Trump’s $14.2m attempt to turn reflecting pool ‘American flag blue’ 16. June 2026 (14:35) Administration had claimed algae at Lincoln Memorial pool would be cleared after the renovation, but it has proliferated amid warm weatherDonald Trump’s $14.2m bid to turn the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool from what the US president described as a “filthy” and “dirty” site into a “beautiful” monument has encountered a hitch.The water is green again. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
