Pierpaolo Piccioli’s couture debut reimagines Balenciaga in his own colourful image
Italian designer brings sculptural silhouettes and playful palettes to storied house, while it is hats off to Giorgio’s niece at her second Armani Privé showThe house of Balenciaga takes haute couture very seriously indeed. Cristóbal Balenciaga was so horrified by the rise of mass-produced clothes that in 1968 he abruptly shuttered his brand and retired to his native Spain, announcing that “high fashion is mortally wounded”.So Pierpaolo Piccioli, who now helms the house, approached the brief of his first Balenciaga couture collection conscientiously, despite having 25 years of experience at Valentino. At a preview, the haute couture war room where he worked on the show for nine months was plastered with images that ranged from a 1961 Balenciaga dress to Spanish golden age art – Zurbarán’s chic saints, Velázquez’s doll-like infantas – and a monumental Hepworth pierced megalith. Continue reading...
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U.S. Strikes Iran and Blocks Its Oil Sales - The New York Times
• The Trump administration revoked a sanctions waiver for Iran’s oil industry on Tuesday, reversing a key concession from a temporary cease-fire agreement reached last month. • The waiver had previously allowed Iran to resume global oil sales as an incentive to ensure the success of a nuclear development accord.
Read original · nytimes.comReassessing the US Alliance System
• President Trump is implementing a second-term foreign policy approach focused on reassessing and restructuring the U.S. alliance system. • The administration is prioritizing key strategic areas, including burden sharing, defense, deterrence, diplomacy, and the strengthening of the U.S. economic base.
Read original · aei.orgThe NATO Summit in Ankara: moving towards the Alliance 3.0 - Friends of Europe
• The NATO Summit in Ankara highlighted a strategic shift toward "Alliance 3.0," emphasizing the need for Europe to assume greater defense responsibilities as U.S. priorities evolve. • The analysis argues that the U.S. has not provided sufficient long-term support to Ukraine, which is viewed as the most effective way to weaken Russia's military capabilities.
Read original · friendsofeurope.org
Friends of EuropeAnother oil tanker targeted in Strait of Hormuz amid shaky US-Iran ceasefire
• A commercial oil tanker caught fire after being struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Limah, Oman. • The British military reported the incident on Monday, though no injuries were reported following the attack.
Read original · thehill.com
The HillTrump Lashes Out at Europe at NATO Summit: Live Updates - The New York Times
• President Trump criticized European allies during a NATO summit for their failure to join the war in Iran and labeled Spain as "hopeless." • During the meeting, Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring control of Greenland, adding tension to the diplomatic proceedings.
Read original · nytimes.comNATO allies temper expectations for summit after Trump’s angry entrance - POLITICO
• NATO allies are lowering their expectations for the current summit following an aggressive and critical entrance by U.S. President Donald Trump. • The atmosphere remains tense as Trump's grievances and posturing cast a shadow over the diplomatic proceedings, though officials note his behavior is not unexpected.
Read original · politico.comNATO summit: Allies in Ankara for talks, defense deals
• Leaders from NATO's 32 member states are convening for a two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 and 8. • Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the primary objective of the talks is to ensure the military alliance "continues to deliver" on its security commitments.
Read original · dw.com
DWNATO Ankara Summit 2026: Day One Assessment – OpEd
• NATO Heads of State and Government convened at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on July 7–8, 2026, for a two-day summit. • Pro-government media outlets have framed the event as a major diplomatic victory, emphasizing President Erdoğan’s leadership and Türkiye's rising global influence.
Read original · eurasiareview.comNATO Summit: Trump condemns alliance for lack of support in Iran war
• Former President Donald Trump criticized NATO for its perceived lack of support during the conflict in Iran. • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the alliance to make a "strong decision" to provide further assistance in the fight against Russia.
Read original · newsweek.com
NewsweekNato summit live news: Trump ‘completely committed’ to Nato despite renewed threats, Rutte says
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that U.S. President Donald Trump remains "completely committed" to the alliance, despite recent threats to withdraw American troops from Europe. • The comments follow renewed tensions as Trump has revived calls to take control of Greenland and questioned the value of current NATO security arrangements.
Read original · ft.comSix Key Issues to Watch at NATO’s Ankara Summit
• NATO leaders are convening for a summit in Ankara to address critical security challenges and alliance cohesion. • The agenda focuses on six key issues, including defense spending targets, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and Middle East security following tensions with Iran.
Read original · oilprice.com
OilPriceThe Ankara Summit: NATO's Search for Strategic Coherence | Explained
• NATO will convene for a summit in Ankara in 2026 to discuss critical issues including defense spending, military readiness, and ongoing support for Ukraine. • Beyond formal agendas, the summit focuses on industrial resilience, recognizing that modern deterrence requires sustained production capacity and financial strength.
Read original · newsable.asianetnews.com