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Four members of Palestine Action have been sentenced as terrorists by a UK judge following a 2024 raid on the Elbit Systems factory in Gloucestershire that caused over £1 million in damage and resulted in a grievous bodily harm conviction.Judge Johnson Declares Terrorist Connection in Elbit Factory Break‑inAt a sentencing hearing on Friday, 12 June 2026, Mr Justice Johnson found that the criminal‑damage offences were “designed to intimidate the UK government and a section of the public” and therefore warranted a terrorist‑connection finding under section 69 of the Sentencing Act.Details of the Sentencing and ChargesSamuel Corner, 23 – convicted of criminal damage and grievous bodily harm without intent for striking Sgt Kate Evans with a sledgehammer.Charlotte Head, 30 – convicted of criminal damage.Leona Kamio, 30 – convicted of criminal damage.Fatema Rajwani, 21 – convicted of criminal damage.The court noted that the terrorist‑connection finding will increase the proportion of their sentences served in prison and impose a lifetime duty to notify police of personal changes.£1.2 million in Damage: The Financial Scope of the RaidThe prosecution’s report estimated total damage at £1.2 million, affecting 41 military assets. Specifically, £395,056 related to six units of an unnamed drone system, with additional destruction to other unmanned aerial vehicles.Legal and Political Ramifications of Terrorist LabelingLegal counsel highlighted the unprecedented nature of applying a terrorism label to a non‑violent offence. Rajiv Menon KC warned that the decision “invites chilling, creeping authoritarianism,” while Mira Hammad KC argued that the Crown deliberately avoided a jury trial on terrorism charges. The ruling could set a precedent for future protests, potentially expanding the reach of the Terrorism Act.What the Verdict Signals for Future Protest LitigationActivists and legal experts anticipate appeals, especially as the Court of Appeal is set to consider the lawfulness of the ban on Palestine Action. The decision may encourage prosecutors to pursue harsher sentences for politically motivated property damage, while protest groups risk being classified under terrorism legislation, affecting public support and legal strategies.

The Strategic RealignmentThe United States plans to cut air and naval assets designated to NATO operations in Europe, marking another significant shift in Washington's commitment to the military alliance. European officials have confirmed that the administration of President Donald Trump is set to sharply reduce the deployment of NATO-assigned fighter jets and maritime reconnaissance aircraft, while also relocating a submarine, aircraft carrier and several warships.This reduction forms part of a broader US strategy to draw down its military presence in Europe as it redirects resources toward the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. The timing of these cuts is particularly sensitive, occurring as Europe faces increasing concerns about potential Russian military threats and instability along NATO's eastern flank.The Military Reduction DetailsAccording to reports, the US intends to decrease the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets allocated to NATO from about 150 to 100, while dropping maritime surveillance aircraft from 26 to 15. Eight aerial refuelling aircraft are also expected to be withdrawn completely. Additionally, one of two bomber task force groups previously assigned to European defence will be redeployed to another region, along with a missile-capable submarine and an aircraft carrier.These cuts will directly impact NATO's reconnaissance and long-range strike capabilities, forcing the alliance to reconsider its defense posture in Europe. The expected reductions come at a time when European nations are already grappling with how to address potential security threats without relying as heavily on US military assets.The NATO ResponseNATO officials have acknowledged some of the planned US reductions but have attempted to frame them positively, insisting that the pullback will benefit the alliance in the long term. "This change strengthens NATO's defence plans by reducing over-dependence on one ally and is a reflection of a broader shift happening within the alliance," stated NATO spokesperson Allison Hart."This is about putting NATO on a more sustainable footing for the decades to come," Hart added, emphasizing that the alliance is actively developing alternative defense plans to address potential gaps created by the US withdrawal. NATO's supreme allied commander, US General Alex Grynkewich, highlighted the need for capabilities that "can be acquired quickly, fielded quickly, and scaled rapidly and sustained over time," including long-range fires and drones.The Geopolitical ContextThe US military reductions occur against a backdrop of strained relations between Washington and its European allies. President Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, describing the alliance as a "paper tiger" and accusing European governments of underinvesting in their militaries while relying too heavily on US protection. Trump has urged both European and Asian allies to boost defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP.These tensions have been exacerbated by the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which Trump has criticized NATO members for not supporting sufficiently. The administration's erratic approach to NATO commitments has made it more complicated for European member states to identify defense priorities and plan their military investments effectively.The Future OutlookWith a NATO summit scheduled in Turkiye on July 7-8, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of transatlantic security relations. Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, described the summit as "probably the most important meeting in NATO's history, because there's some things that need to be cleared up and fixed."European nations will likely face increasing pressure to take greater responsibility for their own defense, potentially accelerating efforts to develop autonomous military capabilities. However, the full extent of US disengagement from European security operations remains unclear, leaving NATO to navigate an uncertain future with potentially reduced American military support.

Lead: Mistral AI’s €3 B Funding Talk Signals a Valuation LeapMistral AI, the Paris‑based AI lab founded in 2023, is reportedly in early discussions to secure about €3 billion ($3.5 billion) in new capital. If the round closes, the company would be valued at roughly €20 billion ($23.15 billion), almost twice the €11.7 billion price tag from its September Series C. Mistral AI’s Potential €3 B Funding Round and €20 B Valuation TargetFunding source: early‑stage discussions with undisclosed investors, per Bloomberg (reported 2026-06-12).Proposed valuation: ~€20 billion, a 70% increase over the last round.Current capital raised: about $4 billion to date (Pitchbook).Product mix: open‑weight large language models, plus closed models for programming, voice cloning, OCR. Valuation Gap Between European and U.S. AI UnicornsOpenAI market cap: ~$186 billion.Anthropic market cap: ~$161.25 billion.European AI funding total (including Mistral): <$5 billion, highlighting a stark disparity.Revenue and enterprise adoption metrics favor U.S. labs, driving higher multiples. Strategic Implications for Europe’s Sovereign AI AmbitionsMistral positions itself as a “sovereign” alternative, partnering with France’s army, the government of Luxembourg, and several major European firms while building a data centre near Paris. The infusion of €3 billion could accelerate these collaborations and reinforce Europe’s policy drive to reduce reliance on American tech. What the Funding Could Mean for Mistral’s Market PositionEnhanced R&amp;D budget to scale open‑weight models and expand closed‑model offerings.Potential to attract top talent and compete for enterprise contracts in Europe.Increased bargaining power in future partnership negotiations with governments and corporates.Risk: valuation pressure may demand rapid revenue growth to justify the €20 billion price.

Lead: A Chorus of Remembrance for a Modern MasterThe art world mourns the loss of David Hockney, whose career spanned six decades of innovation, colour, and playful experimentation. In a series of candid interviews, peers such as Rachel Whiteread, Jeremy Deller, Tacita Dean, Marlene Dumas and Mark Wallinger shared personal anecdotes that illuminate his impact on their own practice and on contemporary culture.Tributes from Fellow Artists: Personal Stories that Capture Hockney’s SpiritRachel Whiteread recalled how Hockney’s water paintings inspired her swimming sessions, describing his work as “breathing art.”Jeremy Deller remembered Hockney’s tech‑savvy side, noting the “fun and tech‑savvy obituary” of his Lightroom immersive show.Tacita Dean recounted a 2014 meeting in the Hollywood Hills, highlighting Hockney’s generosity in sketching her son Rufus and coining the family motto “Inspiration, she does not visit the lazy.”Marlene Dumas spoke of Hockney’s gentle approach to love and intimacy, crediting his sparse technique for teaching her that “painting love stories can be delicate.”Mark Wallinger praised Hockney as “the best draughtsman since Picasso,” underscoring his unrivalled command of line.Hockney’s Artistic Legacy: From Paintbrush to PixelsBeyond personal reminiscences, the testimonies map Hockney’s broader contributions: his early embrace of photography, his pioneering use of iPad drawing tools, and his relentless curiosity about optics and science. These pursuits broke down barriers between “high” and “low” art, inviting a generation of creators to experiment across media.Cultural Impact: How Hockney Redefined Modern Visual LanguageHockney’s flamboyant palette and playful subject matter reshaped public expectations of what painting could convey. By making art feel “fun” and accessible, he inspired institutions to showcase digital exhibitions, such as the 2025 LVMH show, and encouraged museums worldwide to acquire his works, reinforcing his status as a cultural touchstone.Looking Ahead: The Enduring Influence of Hockney’s VisionAs the art community reflects, Hockney’s legacy will likely fuel further cross‑disciplinary collaborations, especially at the intersection of art and technology. Emerging artists cite his willingness to adopt new tools as a blueprint for future innovation, ensuring his joyous, inquisitive spirit lives on in studios and galleries worldwide.

The AI-Powered Scam Text Epidemic Google is suing to dismantle the infrastructure behind an alleged massive AI-powered cybercrime operation. The tech giant announced a lawsuit against an alleged Chinese cybercrime network called Outsider Enterprise, which Google says uses AI in its campaigns to send scam text messages impersonating Google and other brands to steal passwords and credit card numbers. The Scale of the Scam Outsider Enterprise has financially scammed “hundreds of thousands of victims” with losses “estimated in the millions.” The group deployed 9,000 fake websites, 1 million fraudulent web domains, and 2.5 million texts sent to Android users in a two-week period, according to Google. The Data Behind the Scam The company said, “55,000 spam texts were flagged by Android users in just two weeks this past May — that’s more than two text spam complaints a minute.” Google also reported that its AI-powered tools enable the company to detect scams and alert users of suspicious calls and text messages, leading to the interception of more than 10 billion scam messages a month. The Impact on Users and Industry Collaboration Google said it has been collaborating with AT&T;, T-Mobile, and Verizon to block the scam text messages and said it is coordinating with the FBI, which is taking unspecified law enforcement actions. The Future of AI-Powered Cybersecurity As AI-powered scams continue to evolve, Google's use of “AI-powered tools to fight AI-powered scams” sets a precedent for the tech industry's approach to combating cybercrime. The outcome of this lawsuit and the collaboration between Google, telecom companies, and law enforcement agencies will be crucial in shaping the future of cybersecurity.

A Journalist's Lifelong Connection to Afghanistan Lyse Doucet first arrived in Kabul on Christmas Day 1988, as Soviet troops were withdrawing from Afghanistan after a decade-long occupation. What began as a brief stay turned into almost a year at the city's Intercontinental Hotel, which became her first Afghan home. More than three decades later, this experience formed the basis of her award-winning book, The Finest Hotel in Kabul, which has now won the Women's Prize for nonfiction. The Intercontinental Hotel as a Historical Lens Doucet chose the Intercontinental Hotel as the central device for telling Afghanistan's story because it remained an "unbreakable constant" through decades of political upheaval. Built by the British in the late 1960s, the hotel once symbolized a different Afghanistan – a time when Kabul was known as the "Paris of the east," with vibrant fashion, jazz music, and international visitors. Through the hotel's staff and guests, Doucet weaves a narrative that draws readers in rather than pushing them away from Afghanistan's complex history. Afghanistan's Political Evolution Through Decades Throughout her nearly four decades reporting from Afghanistan, primarily for the BBC, Doucet has witnessed the country pass through almost every political experiment of the modern era: Soviet-backed communism, civil war, Taliban rule, western-backed democracy, and now the Taliban again. The hotel staff who remained through these changes – including Hazrat the housekeeper, Abida the first female chef, Amanullah the engineer, and Malalai one of the first female waiters – form the heart of her story, representing the resilience of Afghan people through turbulent times. The Current Crisis for Afghan Women Since returning to power, the Taliban have systematically erased women from public life through draconian measures. Girls have been entirely banned from secondary education and university, women have been forced out of many workplaces and banned from public spaces, and strict adherence to the burqa is required. Last month, an official decree effectively legalized child marriage, and just recently, a rare protest in Herat against arrests of women accused of violating hijab rules ended with two people killed, including a child. "Five years in and it is getting worse. It is a stain on our world," Doucet states, while also noting "the courage of Afghan women is extraordinary." International Response and Future Outlook Doucet expresses frustration that barriers facing Afghan women extend beyond the country's borders. "There are Afghan women getting scholarships, but there are no visas now to allow Afghan women to come and study in Britain and in many other places," she says. "People who were somebody in Afghanistan – activists, world-class journalists – find themselves having to start again from scratch." The award-winning journalist hopes her book and the recognition it brings will help refocus international attention on Afghanistan. "Afghanistan has largely slipped from the headlines," she says. "Perhaps this win will bring some attention to the country. None of us should be ready to accept a situation in which we live in a world where there is a country where girls cannot be educated after they're 16, where women cannot go to university, where women are barred from so many jobs. This is something we should all be angry about."

The Evolution of Olivia Rodrigo's Sound Olivia Rodrigo's third album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' has arrived with much anticipation and speculation about its lyrics, particularly regarding her relationship with Louis Partridge. However, the real story here is the album's musical evolution and maturity. A New Wave of Sound The album represents a confident pivot away from the sound of her previous work, 'Guts', embracing 80s new wave influences, with hints of the B-52s, New Order, and Devo. The Cure's influence is particularly notable, with Robert Smith even making a guest appearance on 'What's Wrong With Me?' Lyrical Maturity The lyrics on the album are substantially more nuanced and thoughtful than Rodrigo's previous work. Songs like 'Begged' and 'Less' showcase her ability to convey complex emotions and relationships. The album's wit and intelligence shine through in tracks like 'Expectations', with its eye-rolling details about an ex-partner. A Promising Future 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' suggests an artist maturing with impressive ease. Olivia Rodrigo's growth as a musician and songwriter is evident, and she seems poised to be around for the long haul, beyond the fleeting gossip and speculation that often surrounds her.

The Block on Trump's 'Anti-Weaponisation' Fund A federal judge in the United States has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with plans for a $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund, meant to offer payments to those who experienced alleged 'lawfare' and 'weaponisation' of the government. The Background of the Fund The fund was the product of a settlement between Trump and the Justice Department of a $10bn lawsuit the president had brought against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Justice Department set up a $1.776bn fund that would have been helmed by a five-member commission to distribute funds to those they deemed victims of 'weaponisation', a term that Trump has used to describe investigations and criminal cases into himself and his allies. The Opposition and Backlash Many of the Republican president's allies are opposed to compensating rioters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. In May, however, Attorney General Todd Blanche would not rule out the possibility that Capitol rioters who engaged in violence could be eligible to apply for payments from the fund. Trump issued mass pardons to Capitol rioters on his first day back in the White House last year. More than 1,500 people were charged in the January 6 attack before Trump erased every case with his sweeping act of clemency. The Future Outlook While the administration has moved away from the scheme, Trump himself has not endorsed its cancellation and has continued to discuss it positively in comments to the press. The judge's ruling represents another setback for the scheme, which has faced heavy resistance from lawmakers and has been walked back by the Department of Justice previously.

The Diplomatic Bridge: Pakistan's Role in US-Iran RapprochementPakistan has emerged as the critical intermediary in a rapidly evolving diplomatic landscape, confirming that a final, agreed upon text of a peace deal between the United States and Iran is now in hand. This development marks a significant escalation in the de-escalation of tensions that have long plagued the Middle East, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif positioning his nation as a stabilizing force in a volatile region.Confirming the Text: A Historic Moment in Tehran and WashingtonPakistan's Confirmation: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that the text is finalized, emphasizing that Pakistan is working closely with both sides to finalize next steps.Iran's Stance: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this sentiment, stating the deal is "never been closer" and urged the media to refrain from speculation.US Involvement: Donald Trump reposted Araghchi's statement on Truth Social, signaling high-level engagement and approval of the trajectory.Deconstructing the Deal: Contradictory Reports on Nuclear and Economic TermsWhile the text is agreed upon, the specifics remain shrouded in conflicting reports, creating uncertainty about the actual concessions being made.Initial Reports (IRNA): Claimed no new concessions on Iran's nuclear program or control of the Strait of Hormuz, but suggested the immediate unfreezing of Iranian assets.US Official Denial: A US official pushed back on the characterization, stating the deal involves the dismantling of the nuclear program and the destruction of nuclear material.Vance's Clarification: JD Vance denied immediate asset releases, asserting the deal prioritizes US and ally concerns, with economic benefits flowing only if Iran meets its obligations.Geopolitical Ripple Effects: Security and Trade in the Strait of HormuzThe potential resolution of this conflict carries profound implications for global energy markets and regional security architecture. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for a significant portion of the world's oil supply; its re-opening or stabilization would directly impact global energy prices and shipping logistics.The Road Ahead: Verifying Compliance and Regional StabilityThe immediate future will likely focus on the verification of compliance. With the text agreed, the pressure is now on both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States to adhere to the structural obligations outlined by JD Vance, potentially setting the stage for a new era of regional stability or a renewed cycle of diplomatic tension.