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The Unapologetic Voice of Chile's Pop Scene Mon Laferte, Chile's biggest pop star, sat down with The Guardian to discuss her music, feminism, and personal life. With a career spanning over two decades, Laferte holds more Latin Grammys than any other Chilean singer and is the country's biggest female streaming star, with more than 18 million monthly listeners. Embracing Taboos and Feminism Laferte is known for embracing taboos, particularly in her music and public appearances. In 2019, she appeared on the Latin Grammys red carpet in a green bandanna, a symbol of abortion rights and reproductive freedom in Latin America, with a message written on her bare chest: 'In Chile they torture, rape and kill.' This act drew heavy criticism from local press, but Laferte believes it was an important moment for her career and for feminism. The Femme Fatale Era Laferte's latest albums, Femme Fatale and Femme Fatale Vol 2, mark a new era in her music. The jazz-inspired albums see her step into a vampy alter ego, exploring themes of feminism, capitalism, and personal vulnerability. Laferte describes the albums as 'wholly feminist, without planning to make a feminist album.' Personal Life and Inspiration Laferte's personal life has also been a source of inspiration for her music. She has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and her experiences as a mother. Her music often reflects her emotional vulnerability, and she believes that this vulnerability is what makes her music so powerful. The Future of Chilean Music As Chile's biggest pop star, Laferte is paving the way for a new generation of Chilean musicians. Her unapologetic voice and commitment to feminism have made her a role model for young women in Chile and around the world. With her music and message, Laferte is inspiring a new era of Chilean music and culture.

The Lead: Harbour’s Measured Response to a Personal AlbumDavid Harbour spoke to Variety about his ex‑wife Lily Allen’s new album *West End Girl*, describing the record as an artist’s right to channel personal experience while stressing that the narrative “wasn’t my experience.”Album Insight and Harbour’s Public StanceAllen’s album, billed as a “mixture of fact and fiction,” chronicles the “explosive dissolution” of their marriage, including themes of infidelity and emotional manipulation. Harbour said, “I do believe that it is the privilege of every artist to use their experience to create art, and so I respect her for doing that.” He declined to comment further, citing a need for privacy.Timeline of the Relationship and Album Release2020: Harbour and Allen marry.Early 2025: Couple separates.Months after separation: Divorce filing.2026: Allen releases *West End Girl* and launches a concert tour.Industry Ripple Effects: Media, Touring, and AdaptationsThe album has generated extensive coverage, from a two‑star Guardian review of the live tour to reports that Allen is exploring a stage‑play adaptation of the songs. Tabloid speculation linked the timing of the interview to alleged bullying claims involving Harbour’s *Stranger Things* co‑star Millie Bobby Brown, which Harbour dismissed as “weird.”Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Harbour and Allen?Harbour will return as Santa Claus in the action comedy sequel *Violent Night 2*, while Allen’s tour continues and discussions about a theatrical version of *West End Girl* remain “very exciting.” Both parties appear intent on moving forward professionally despite the personal fallout.

The Intersection of Sport and PowerThe Guardian's weekly roundup highlights a fascinating trend in audio storytelling: the deepening relationship between sports, politics, and popular culture. Two standout selections explore how global events are often shaped by power dynamics rather than just athletic prowess.Our Copa: Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias, alongside journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela, acts as "football/soccer time-travellers". They trace the history of global power influencing the game, starting with the 1934 tournament in Mussolini's Italy, which was boycotted by Uruguay.Slander & Slay: Hosted by seasoned US reporters Tracy Sandler and Nikki Kay, this series dissects the stories at the crossroads of popular culture and sport. Recent episodes analyze the NBA's "celebrity rows" and specific incidents, such as basketball player Josh Hart bringing a glass of red wine to a press conference.The Renaissance of Audio DramaThe selection also points to a renewed interest in the golden age of radio and the evolution of the true crime genre, moving beyond simple storytelling to include rigorous scientific analysis.If You Please... Himan Brown’s Radio Mystery Theater: This podcast celebrates the legacy of Himan Brown, a legend of American radio who produced over 30,000 programs. It combines archive recordings from his 1970s horror anthology series with behind-the-scenes insights from scholar John Slavney.True Crime: Dissected: This new offering elevates the true crime format by adding forensic expertise. Hosted by investigative reporter Paul Connolly and forensic psychiatrist Sohom Das, the series begins by examining hate crimes in Golders Green and Charleston, applying a clinical lens to historical events.The Cultural ImpactThe inclusion of The Rest Is Politics: Who Funds Reform? in this week's list underscores a growing public demand for transparency in political funding. By investigating the influence of crypto tycoons and donors on political agendas, these podcasts serve as a crucial check on power, ensuring that listeners understand the financial mechanisms driving current events.

The Guardian's Video Raises Questions on FIFA's AI Athlete PlansThe Guardian posted a short video on June 13, 2026 titled “Is FIFA allowed to make AI athletes?” that frames a debate about whether the governing body can develop or endorse artificial‑intelligence‑based football players.Key Points Highlighted in the ClipThe video asks whether existing FIFA statutes cover AI‑generated athletes.It references potential conflicts with current competition regulations.It hints at broader implications for player eligibility and fairness.Regulatory Context Without Concrete DataWhile the video does not provide specific legal analysis or statistics, it underscores the uncertainty in current sports law regarding AI integration.Potential Industry Ripple EffectsStakeholders—including clubs, sponsors, and broadcasters—may need to monitor how governing bodies address AI athletes, as any policy shift could affect contracts, broadcasting rights, and fan engagement.Outlook for Future GovernanceObservers anticipate that FIFA and other sports authorities will soon clarify their stance, potentially issuing guidelines or amendments to existing statutes to accommodate emerging AI technologies.

Summer Reading Surge: Guardian's Curated ListThe Guardian released a seasonal reading guide featuring **70** titles selected for their appeal during the summer months of **2026**. The list is positioned as a one‑stop resource for casual beach readers and avid bibliophiles alike.What the List Covers: Genres and ThemesLiterary fiction and contemporary novelsHistorical and speculative worksNon‑fiction titles on travel, nature and self‑improvementMemoirs and personal essaysGenre picks including mystery, thriller and romanceNumbers Behind the Recommendation: 70 Titles Across 5 CategoriesTotal books: 70Categories: 5 major genre groupsAverage publication year: 2022‑2025, highlighting recent releasesGeographic diversity: authors from North America, Europe, Asia and AfricaWhy This Matters for Readers and PublishersProvides a curated alternative to algorithm‑driven suggestions, reinforcing editorial authority.Boosts visibility for emerging authors and smaller presses featured alongside best‑sellers.Encourages seasonal reading habits, which can translate into higher sales during the traditionally strong summer market.Looking Ahead: Trends Shaping Summer Book ChoicesIncreasing demand for climate‑focused narratives and travel memoirs as readers seek escapism tied to real‑world issues.Growth of short‑form fiction and essay collections that suit portable reading devices.Continued crossover between literary and genre fiction, blurring traditional market boundaries.

The 2026 World Cup has turned the summer into a nonstop football marathon, with 104 games, 40 more matches than the previous tournament and many fixtures airing in the small hours for UK viewers. The Guide #246 provides a curated list of films, TV series and music festivals that can serve as a welcome distraction. World Cup Overload Meets a Bloated Schedule With the tournament stretched over more than a week longer than before, almost half of the matches air in the early morning, turning ordinary evenings into sleepless watch‑parties. Numbers That Make the Fever Harder to Swallow 104 total games scheduled 40 additional matches compared with the last World Cup Nearly 50% of fixtures broadcast in the UK during the "wee small hours" Over 5 weeks of continuous football coverage Pop‑Culture Counter‑Programming: Film Releases to Watch Obsession and Backrooms – horror sensations still in cinemas Disclosure Day – Steven Spielberg’s latest blockbuster Toy Story 5 – early buzz for its screen‑addiction themed story (out 26 June) Jackass: Best and Last – Johnny Knoxville’s final stunt‑filled outing (26 June) A Private Life – Jodie Foster’s French‑language debut (26 June) Minions & Monsters – family fun (1 July) The Invite – Olivia Wilde’s much‑talked‑about thriller (8 July) Evil Dead Burn and live‑action Moana remake (10 July) The Odyssey – Christopher Nolan’s biggest film of the year (17 July) Television Line‑up to Distract the Fanatics Widow’s Bay (Apple TV) – comedy‑horror finale (next Wednesday) I Will Find You (Netflix) – Harlan Coben thriller starring Britt Lower (Thursday) House of the Dragon season 3 (HBO Max) – weekly from 21 June The Bear final season (Disney+) – all episodes 26 June Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (HBO Max) – Larry David’s satirical look at America (26 June) Silo season 3 (Apple TV) – dystopian thriller (3 July) Ride Or Die (Prime Video) – action‑comedy thriller starring Hannah Waddingham (15 July) Heartstopper Forever (Netflix) – final feature‑length episode (17 July) Music Festivals and Live Events as an Escape Route Isle of Wight Festival – classic summer music gathering Creamfields (Cheshire) – electronic‑dance extravaganza TRNSMT (Glasgow) – indie and rock showcase Refer to the Guardian’s summer festival guide for a full rundown of UK events running alongside the World Cup. What’s Next: Summer Releases to Keep You Busy As the tournament winds down, the cultural calendar stays packed. From blockbuster films to high‑profile TV seasons and sprawling music festivals, there will be plenty of alternatives to keep screens occupied and minds off the endless stream of matches.

Why G’wed Stands Out in the Landscape of British ComedyThe latest season of G’wed arrives as a rare blend of filthy humour, heartfelt moments and socially conscious storylines, positioning it as a distinct voice among contemporary UK sitcoms.Mixing Filth, Heart, and Social Commentary in Liverpool’s ClassroomSet in a secondary school in Liverpool, the series follows middle‑class newcomer Christopher as he is forced to “slum it” with working‑class peers like Reece. Beyond the typical fish‑out‑of‑water antics, the show tackles PIP assessments, male anorexia, consent grey areas, and even a corporate‑suffocated Premier League subplot.Gender, race and sexuality are woven into the core friendship group.Storylines such as a “mask‑wearing digital vigilante” and a “Mamma Mia‑style paternity mystery” push the comedy format’s limits.Audience Reception and Ratings LandscapeOfficial viewership numbers have not been released, but critical buzz is strong. The Guardian’s review highlights the show’s ambition and notes that the blend of “tears more reliably than laughs” resonates with a niche audience seeking depth over polish.How G’wed Redefines Class and Diversity Narratives on TVBy foregrounding working‑class perspectives and avoiding “woke pieties”, G’wed offers a fresh take on class dynamics, contrasting sharply with the more homogenous tone of shows like The Inbetweeners. The performances of Leanne Best (Jodie) and newcomer Jake Kenny‑Byrne (Christopher) add emotional weight that elevates the series beyond pure comedy.What’s Next for G’wed and Similar Boundary‑Pushing SitcomsIf the series maintains its ambition, it could inspire other British comedies to blend raunch with serious themes, encouraging networks to back risk‑taking scripts. Expect future seasons to refine tonal balance while continuing to challenge conventional sitcom boundaries.

The Lead: This week’s cultural highlightsThe Guardian’s entertainment guide for the week ahead showcases a mix of new cinema releases, streaming titles, live music events and high‑profile art exhibitions, giving readers a clear roadmap to the season’s most talked‑about cultural moments.New Film Releases and Streaming PicksSteven Spielberg returns with a UFO‑themed sci‑fi drama starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo. The film tackles whistleblowing, conspiracy theories and corporate intrigue.The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford – a Scottish comedy‑drama starring Peter Mullan, about a local historian whose lectures are upended by a Game of Thrones‑style TV production.Time and Water – an Icelandic documentary exploring rapid ice loss through personal and folk narratives.In the Hand of Dante – a Julian Schnabel drama featuring Oscar Isaac in a dual role as Dante and author Nick Tosches, intertwining literary history with a mafia subplot.Live Music and Festival Line‑upsKamasi Washington and Mulatu Astatke headline the Harry Styles‑curated Meltdown festival at Royal Festival Hall (14‑17 June), with Washington promoting his new album Fearless Movement.TRNSMT returns to Glasgow Green (19‑21 June) featuring headliners Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian and Lewis Capaldi, plus emerging acts such as Rose Gray and CMAT.SANSARA Chronicle debuts at Snape Maltings (19 June) – a multimedia choral‑theatre piece by composers Alex Ho and Rockey Sun Keting, with author Yilin Wang.Kaytranada launches a short arena tour of the O2 (18‑23 June) supporting his fourth album Ain’t No Damn Way!.Art Exhibitions and InstallationsMoore/Freud at Hastings Contemporary (13 June‑13 September) pairs Henry Moore’s sculptures with Lucian Freud’s paintings to explore family and intimacy.Anish Kapoor exhibition at the Hayward Gallery (dates not specified) continues his exploration of form and void.Data Snapshot: Release Dates and VenuesSteven Spielberg film – out now (no specific release date provided).The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford – out now.Time and Water – out now.In the Hand of Dante – out now.Meltdown festival – 14 June (Washington) and 17 June (Astatke) at Royal Festival Hall, London.TRNSMT – 19‑21 June at Glasgow Green.SANSARA Chronicle – 19 June at Snape Maltings, Suffolk.Kaytranada tour – 18‑23 June at the O2, London.Moore/Freud – 13 June‑13 September at Hastings Contemporary.Impact on the UK Cultural LandscapeThe concentration of high‑profile releases and events this week underscores a vibrant summer season for UK audiences. Spielberg’s new film adds blockbuster appeal to cinemas, while the blend of jazz, ethio‑jazz and electronic acts at festivals reflects a growing appetite for genre‑crossing live music. Major art shows like Moore/Freud provide deeper historical context, attracting both scholars and casual visitors, thereby reinforcing the UK’s role as a hub for diverse cultural programming.Looking Ahead: Summer 2026 TrendsWith streaming titles launching alongside theatrical releases, audiences are likely to split their attention between home viewing and outdoor events. The prominence of legacy artists (e.g., Kamasi Washington, Mulatu Astatke) alongside emerging talent suggests a continued market for curated festival experiences. Expect further collaborations between visual art institutions and contemporary musicians as the season progresses, shaping a more interdisciplinary cultural calendar.

Parental Backing for an Under‑16 Social Media BanRecent polling shows that nine out of ten parents in the United Kingdom support a blanket ban on social‑media access for children under 16 years old. The sentiment reflects growing concerns over mental‑health impacts, algorithmic manipulation, and the difficulty of monitoring content on popular apps. Insights from the West London Youth Focus GroupA group of ten 12‑ to 16‑year‑olds met with The Guardian in west London to discuss the proposed restrictions. Their views ranged from favouring strict time limits to opposing any outright ban.Precisa, 13 – runs a roll‑on deodorant business on TikTok and Instagram; argues for tougher content monitoring rather than a ban.Zoe, 14 – limited to Snapchat and WhatsApp; prefers parental controls over a blanket prohibition.Sophia, 12 – values YouTube for music and art; would "miss a lot" if it were blocked.Kit, 12 – supports an Australia‑style ban, citing addiction and mental‑health risks.Andrew, 13 – advocates weekday time limits to protect homework time. Poll Numbers and Consultation LandscapeThe government’s online‑safety consultation, due to publish its outcome next week (2026‑06‑20), is evaluating several options:Full ban on “high‑risk” platforms for under‑16s.Feature‑level restrictions such as disabling autoplay, infinite scroll, and livestreaming.Mandatory screen‑time caps and stronger age‑verification mechanisms.Current data from the consultation indicates:90% of parents favour an age limit.55% of surveyed teens would accept stricter monitoring but oppose a total ban. Potential Ripple Effects on Platforms and Youth EngagementIf the ban is implemented, major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat will need to redesign user‑onboarding flows for under‑16s, possibly creating “safe‑mode” versions. Brands that rely on teen influencers could lose a key marketing channel, while youth‑led entrepreneurship (e.g., Precisa’s deodorant business) may face new hurdles.Conversely, a focus on feature restrictions rather than a full ban could preserve commercial activity while mitigating exposure to harmful content. What the Next Week of Policy Decisions Could MeanThe upcoming decision will set a precedent for other EU nations grappling with similar concerns. Analysts anticipate three scenarios:Full ban – would trigger a surge in workarounds (VPNs, fake accounts) and raise enforcement challenges.Selective restrictions – could balance safety with economic interests, prompting platforms to innovate safer user experiences.Status quo – may fuel further public pressure and lead to stricter self‑regulation by tech firms.Stakeholders—including parents, youth organisations, and platform operators—are urged to prepare for rapid policy shifts as the consultation concludes.