Guests joked Alan Jones and alleged victim looked ‘like a great couple’ at luncheon, court hears 24. August 2026 (07:28) Radio host’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial enters fourth week, with shock jock Jason Morrison telling court complainant C appeared ‘stuck’ beside JonesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFellow shock jock Jason Morrison has told the Alan Jones trial that guests at a luncheon hosted by the 2GB breakfast presenter were joking that Jones and a young staffer “look like a great couple” as the pair sat next to each other at a Sydney restaurant.Morrison, who often filled in for Jones, told the court a fellow guest made the “sarcastic” remark about the two men at the event on the lower north shore 20 years ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand to consider banning children under 16 from social media 24. August 2026 (07:22) Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s party to introduce bill seeking the ban, citing harm to a generation of childrenNew Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has said his party will introduce a bill in parliament that seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media, proposing fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue for non-compliance.The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, including by utilising existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New daily diabetes pill that helps with weight loss launches in UK pharmacies 24. August 2026 (07:01) Foundayo will be available on private prescription, with pharmacists warning of counterfeit GLP-1 problemA new daily pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss will be available in UK pharmacies from Monday.Pharmacists said the move would be welcome for people who cannot use weight-loss jabs, but also issued a warning over the growing problem of fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 tablets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Air conditioning push favoured over emissions cuts in six European nations, survey finds 24. August 2026 (07:00) Poll also finds sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air con in homesGiven the choice, more people across six major European nations including the UK favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, a survey has found.After four extreme heatwaves that have caused thousands of excess deaths across the continent, the survey showed between 30% and 52% of people in six countries had feared for their household’s health in temperatures close to or above 40C (104F). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘An amazing relief’: implant offers hope for those with refractory angina 24. August 2026 (07:00) Study finds device brings significant fall in chest pain in 75% of patients, but further trials and NHS approval are needed“It’s an amazing relief, both physically and emotionally, to be able to live my life again normally, without feeling that I’m limited all the time in what I can do.”Cristian Jensen is describing the difference that an implant inserted in his chest – to reduce the symptoms of his debilitating angina – has had on his life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Fed chair faces critical test at Jackson Hole as inflation fears mount 24. August 2026 (07:00) Investors will hope Kevin Warsh offers ‘comfort blanket’ at annual meeting of central banks amid bond market anxietyThe new US Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, faces a critical test this week amid anxiety in government bond markets over inflation and Donald Trump’s tax and spending plans.As the world’s most powerful central bank prepares for its annual Jackson Hole conference, analysts said bond traders would be looking for signals from Warsh over its commitment to fighting inflation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fast-fashion giant Shein aims for $27bn valuation in Hong Kong market debut 24. August 2026 (06:02) Known for selling cheap clothing, the online retailer has seen its value drop sharply from earlier estimates amid scrutiny over its environmental footprintShein will debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on 1 September, the fast-fashion retailer said on Monday, in a long-awaited listing that would value the group at close to $27bn.Founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, the online retailer secured Beijing’s approval last month to make its initial public offering in Hong Kong. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Photo of Disraeli among missing parliamentary works of art, FoI request finds 24. August 2026 (06:01) Press Association given list of 65 items from publicly owned collection that have gone missing since 2024A photograph of Benjamin Disraeli, an engraved portrait of William Wilberforce and a cartoon of Barbara Castle have all been misplaced by the UK parliamentary authorities, a freedom of information (FoI) request has revealed.The Press Association has been given a list of more than 65 works of art that have been missing since 2024. They also include a photograph of Margaret Beckett, the UK’s first female foreign secretary and the first woman to lead Labour, and a satirical cartoon by Martin Rowson from the Conservative leadership battle of 1995. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scrapping of Berlin swimming day for Black children becomes latest in long list of race-linked pool rows 24. August 2026 (06:00) Rightwing voices seize on plans to offer Black children an exclusive afternoon at an outdoor pool in the German capitalIt was meant to be an outing for Black children in Berlin and their families, offering them an exclusive afternoon at an outdoor pool set up by a local theatre.But the plans, slated for earlier this month, had to be scrapped after they were seized on by rightwing and conservative voices to whip up outrage, leaving organisers fending off racist emails and threats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US territories hit out at Trump plan to explore deep sea mining in the Pacific 24. August 2026 (03:34) US agency releases plan to lease millions of hectares of seabed off the coast of the Northern Mariana Islands and GuamA US government plan to lease out millions of hectares of seabed near the Mariana Trench for deep sea exploration has drawn opposition from US territories in the Pacific, as the Trump administration remains locked in a race with China for control of critical ocean minerals.On Tuesday, the Marine Mineral Administration (MMA), an agency under the US department of the interior, released a proposal to auction deep sea mining leases for 28m hectares (69m acres) of seafloor off the coast of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
