News programme broadcast every weekday evening is one of first victims of corporation’s drive to cut £500m in costsBBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight is to be axed after more than 50 years, as part of a first round of sweeping cuts that will result in other shows being cut and the departure of hundreds of staff.The 45-minute news programme, broadcast every weekday evening on Radio 4, is one of the first victims of a savings drive that will also put entire BBC channels and radio stations under review. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/bbc-boss-compulsory-redundancies-cuts">Continue reading...</a>

News programme broadcast every weekday evening is one of first victims of corporation’s drive to cut £500m in costs

BBC to axe Radio 4’s The World Tonight after more than 50 years

Private members’ bills to crack down on use of Slapps are likely to attract cross-party supportA coordinated push to protect whistleblowers, journalists and victims of sexual assault from being sued by those who wish to silence them has been launched in both houses of parliament.Two private members’ bills designed to crack down on strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps, have been introduced by Conservative members within 24 hours of each other, and are likely to attract cross-party support. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/slapps-legislation-stop-lawfare-journalists-whistleblowers">Continue reading...</a>

Private members’ bills to crack down on use of Slapps are likely to attract cross-party support

Legislation proposed to stop lawsuits used to silence journalists and whistleblowers

Government has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTubeThe UK government has announced a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/15/uk-under-16s-social-media-ban-how-will-it-work">social media ban for under-16s</a>.They will be blocked from accessing social media, including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X, from next spring. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/it-makes-no-sense-16--and-17-year-olds-on-social-media-ban">Continue reading...</a>

Government has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube

‘It makes no sense’: 16- and 17-year-olds on UK social media ban

Exclusive: Cain has been lauded by corporation for his appeal to young men despite history of abusive and misogynistic remarks• Warning: this article contains sexually explicit, offensive languageA BBC presenter lauded by the corporation for his appeal to young male audiences has a history of making abusive and misogynistic remarks about women, whom he has variously called “slags”, “sluts”, “psychos” and “bitches”, the Guardian can reveal.Ashley Cain is the presenter of the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, which was filmed on location earlier this year after the BBC commissioned a second series. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/bbc-presenter-ashley-cain-called-women-slags-sluts-bitches">Continue reading...</a>

Exclusive: Cain has been lauded by corporation for his appeal to young men despite history of abusive and misogynistic remarks

BBC presenter Ashley Cain called women ‘slags’, ‘sluts’ and ‘bitches’

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. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/lululemon-apologises-japanese-drum-great-wall-china-yoga-event">Continue reading...</a>

Online uproar follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese culture

Lululemon apologises after Japanese drum row at Great Wall yoga event

<ul><li>Former British No 1 is axed after 23 years at the mic</li><li>‘I am lucky to have the best gig in sports broadcasting’</li></ul>Andrew Castle has confirmed that Wimbledon this year will be his last at the commentator’s mic, the former British No 1 leaving the “best gig in sports broadcasting” after more than two decades as the BBC makes changes to its coverage.The 62-year-old, who will remain in post as the All England Championships get under way on Monday, told the Times: “It’s been a hell of a journey. I can’t say I have enjoyed every minute because there have been moments of pressure and controversy, but it has been a huge privilege. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/17/andrew-castle-wimbledon-bbc-commentator-tv-sport-tennis">Continue reading...</a>

Former British No 1 is axed after 23 years at the mic

Andrew Castle says this year’s Wimbledon will be his last as BBC commentator

After PM announces ‘Australia plus’ plan, we look at how it is likely to be enforced – and potential problems ahead<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2026/jun/15/how-will-the-under-16s-social-media-ban-work-podcast">How will the under-16s social media ban work? – podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/parents-uk-how-feel-about-potential-under-16s-social-media-ban">UK parents: how do you feel about the ban?</a></li></ul>Social media access in the UK is to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/15/social-media-ban-uk-under-16-starmer">banned for under-16s</a> as part of an online safety drive that includes a host of other restrictions.Keir Starmer said the changes were a “line in the sand” for tech companies that had failed to keep children safe. Here are details of the ban and other online safety measures announced by the government on Monday. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/15/uk-under-16s-social-media-ban-how-will-it-work">Continue reading...</a>

After PM announces ‘Australia plus’ plan, we look at how it is likely to be enforced – and potential problems ahead

UK under-16s social media ban: which apps will be blocked and how will it work?

Arnault’s addition of leading weekly to stable of publications raises concerns about media ownership in FranceHe is known as the “wolf in cashmere” – the owner of the world’s biggest luxury group whose brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Tiffany have made him one of the world’s richest people.But <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/bernard-arnault">Bernard Arnault</a>, a close friend of Donald Trump, is under fire from journalists’ unions in France for buying up almost all the country’s business and economic press. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/17/fashion-tycoon-bernard-arnault-accused-of-stranglehold-over-french-business-press">Continue reading...</a>

Arnault’s addition of leading weekly to stable of publications raises concerns about media ownership in France

Fashion tycoon Bernard Arnault accused of stranglehold over French business press

Some titles that once backed the Tories now ‘flirting with Farage’ as they try to gauge where readers standIt was a Mail on Sunday headline with all the ferocity usually reserved for general elections, directed squarely at a political opponent. But in this case, the traditionally Conservative-supporting title was not targeting Labour.The party in its crosshairs was Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain, the vehemently rightwing outfit that regards Nigel Farage’s Reform UK as too weak on deporting migrants. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/16/mail-on-sunday-attacks-restore-as-split-right-creates-headache-for-uk-papers">Continue reading...</a>

Some titles that once backed the Tories now ‘flirting with Farage’ as they try to gauge where readers stand

Mail on Sunday attacks Restore as split right creates headache for UK papers

The BBC debate seems dominated by its foes and commercial rivals, but a new survey reveals a hitherto silent majority in supportive voice The battle for the soul and future of the BBC is clearly under way. It’s charter decision year; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxdwlqx8qqo">Trump is after the corporation’s scalp</a>; parliamentary committees are embroiled in the vexed questions of how to pay for public service broadcasting and what to do about the relentless expansion of streamers; and the new director general is imprisoned in yet another round of cuts. Oh, and the Doctor Who Christmas special has been <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/10/bbc-abandons-plans-for-doctor-who-christmas-special">junked this year</a>. Just to spice things up, Michael Grade has peppered this newspaper with the old charge that the BBC is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/15/gb-news-critics-free-speech-liberal-islington-consensus-michael-grade-ofcom">part of the London metropolitan elite</a>.It’s not looking good for Auntie. Where is the love? Why is this great British institution not in the same position as the NHS – criticised of course, but revered in a way that means no political party – not even Reform or Restore – would think of advocating abolition? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/17/haters-critics-bbc-britain-public-opinion">Continue reading...</a>

The BBC debate seems dominated by its foes and commercial rivals, but a new survey reveals a hitherto silent majority in supportive voice

As haters and critics circle, will anyone speak up for the BBC? Yes, a huge, loyal army of ordinary Britons | Lindsay Mackie

Time and time again, the PM has failed to take on big tech. With this plan, he is taking an easy way out and giving parents false hope<ul><li>Ian Russell is an internet safety campaigner and chair of the Molly Rose Foundation</li></ul>More than eight years ago my youngest daughter, Molly, died after being bombarded with suicide and self-harm material on social media. I had hope that Keir Starmer would finally take the measures needed to address the harm Molly was subjected to, but his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2026/jun/15/keir-starmer-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-in-uk-video">social media ban</a> for under-16s leaves me desperately worried for the safety of children online.Instead of tackling the product safety issues that cost my daughter’s life, he is choosing to take a politically easy route which the evidence shows – and experts warn – will not work, and will leave children at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://home.crin.org/readlistenwatch/stories/uk-social-media-ban">continued risk</a>. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/15/keir-starmer-promised-harm-social-media-ban-molly-russell">Continue reading...</a>

Time and time again, the PM has failed to take on big tech. With this plan, he is taking an easy way out and giving parents false hope

Keir Starmer promised me he would end the harm caused by social media. But this ban betrays that promise | Ian Russell

Questions remain over enforcement, privacy risk and whether it could open door to even more invasive measures<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/15/uk-under-16s-social-media-ban-how-will-it-work">How will the ban work?</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/parents-uk-how-feel-about-potential-under-16s-social-media-ban">UK parents: how do you feel about the ban?</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/15/social-media-ban-uk-under-16-starmer">Social media firms hit back as Starmer announces ban for under-16s in UK</a></li></ul>It is a line in the sand for tech companies, according to Keir Starmer. And from next year, millions of children in the UK will be barred from crossing it.Under-16s will be blocked from accessing the big social media platforms from next spring, while 16- and 17-year-olds also face limitations on livestreaming and chatting to strangers when they finally enter the online world. At the moment, the minimum age is 13, a limit effectively set by UK data privacy law. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/15/effects-uk-social-media-ban-under-16s-enforcement">Continue reading...</a>

Questions remain over enforcement, privacy risk and whether it could open door to even more invasive measures

Impact of social media ban for under-16s in UK hinges on how firm it is

There are real concerns about how a social media ban for under-16s will work. But tighter rules could be a step towards a better internet for everyone There is a long way to go before <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/15/social-media-ban-uk-under-16-starmer">children under 16 in the UK are blocked</a> from the main social media platforms – as Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday that they will be. He proposed a date of next spring, although whether, and when, a ban comes in may be up to an eventual successor.But whatever happens next, a crunch moment has arrived sooner than expected. Until recently, it seemed highly unlikely that the government would seek to restrict the tech industry’s access to children in the way it is now doing. Eighteen months ago, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/17/the-guardian-view-on-online-safety-ministers-must-stand-up-to-big-tech">ministers sided with Ofcom</a> in a row over the implementation of the Online Safety Act. Groups including 5Rights argued that companies should be made accountable for harm reduction, as well as obliged to follow new rules. For a mixture of economic and political reasons, the government seemed determined to stay on the right side of big tech and Donald Trump. Its approach was timid.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/15/the-guardian-view-on-regulating-big-tech-the-uks-new-tougher-approach-to-child-safety-is-overdue">Continue reading...</a>

There are real concerns about how a social media ban for under-16s will work. But tighter rules could be a step towards a better internet for everyone

The Guardian view on regulating big tech: the UK’s new, tougher approach to child safety is overdue

End of News Feed

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Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said Tuesday that the company is working on over 40 different AI wearable devices — including jewelry, earbuds with cameras, ...

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A security researcher said a flaw in FIFA’s online platforms allowed her to access several internal systems, including one that could have allowed her to...

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