Europe would not be able to sustain war of attrition with Russia, defence officials say 05. September 2026 (13:00) Security experts fear Putin may be winning hybrid war with the west amid rise of pro-Kremlin, far-right partiesDefence planners working with Nato fear that if war broke out with Russia, Europe could not currently sustain a prolonged war of attrition owing to a public lack of war readiness, a conference on the future of European military coordination heard this week.The pessimism reflects concern that Russia may be winning a so-called hybrid war with Europe, weakening the options available to Nato war planners in the event of military conflict. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Captain calamity: Pete Hegseth under fire for ‘inept’ leadership of US military 05. September 2026 (12:00) The US defense secretary faces internal dissent and discord at the Pentagon, accused of focusing on culture war issues and his own political ambitions as the Iran war drags onIn a different Washington, under a different president, a return to the well-worn playbook of all-out sanctions to counter Iran might have been the signal for a publicity-hungry US secretary of defense to adopt a lower profile.But these are no ordinary times. And Pete Hegseth is no ordinary defense secretary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It cost me many friendships’: former Brazil military chief reveals inside struggle to stop Bolsonaro’s coup 05. September 2026 (12:00) Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior describes 2022 meeting in new book as ex-leader’s son vies with Lula for presidencyThe far-right populist Jair Bolsonaro was in his final days as Brazil’s president when, six weeks after losing the election and still refusing to recognise the result, he summoned the heads of the armed forces to a meeting.The defence minister, Gen Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, took out a document from a plastic folder and handed copies to the commanders of the navy, army and air force. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gaza refugee says sister-in-law ‘would be alive’ if Home Office had let her come to UK 05. September 2026 (12:00) Anwar, who lives in Glasgow, says Home Office refused visa application despite Maryam having cancerA man living in the UK has said he believes his sister-in-law who died from cancer in Gaza would still be alive today if the Home Office had agreed to bring her and her family to Britain.Anwar, who lives in Glasgow, fled Gaza in 2020 and was granted refugee status in the UK in 2021. After the destruction of large areas of Gaza by Israeli forces following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, he applied to bring his brother Hassan, Hassan’s wife, Maryam, their two young children and other family members to the UK in October 2025. He said the Home Office rejected their application. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Farage and Jenrick to speak on final day of Reform conference marred by scandal and protests – UK politics live 05. September 2026 (11:55) Farage, who had earlier suspended two close aides, had his keynote speech interrupted multiple times by protesters on FridayReform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf spotted at the conference, taking photos with supporters as the event gets under way.Before we get into today’s events, here’s a look back at the controversy at Reform UK’s conference yesterday.The row comprehensively overshadowed the first full day of the party’s conference with every Reform politician repeatedly questioned over the scandal.It also exposed splits at the top of the party, with Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, strongly distancing himself from Jukes and Orr. He told reporters “anyone who supports Reform is disappointed”, and added of the investigation: “It’s just not something I am personally involved in.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sweden confirms 458 Britons deported or forcibly removed since Brexit 05. September 2026 (11:16) Scale of deportations made public for first time amid criticism of hardline approach to UK citizensSweden has confirmed 458 British citizens have been deported or forcibly removed by police since Brexit.It is the first time the scale of the deportations of citizens who failed to secure residency in Sweden post-Brexit has been made public and comes amid mounting criticism of a cruel and hardline approach to Britons who had chosen to make the country their home before Brexit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Black-clad protesters in balaclavas block road at port of Dover in Kent 05. September 2026 (10:57) Traffic on A20 in and out of port grinds to halt as Kent police say they are in attendance and engaging with groupA large group of people dressed in black and wearing balaclavas have blocked the road at the port of Dover in Kent, forcing closures in both directions.Kent police said they were aware of the protest, which the Port of Dover described as a “public order incident”. Officers were in attendance and engaging with protesters, they said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Beekeepers warn of Asian hornet threat and call for UK awareness campaign 05. September 2026 (07:00) Experts say invasive species are creating ‘pollinator deserts’ and could have serious impact on food securityBritish beekeepers have called for a national awareness campaign about the impact of Asian hornets as they warned the invasive species was creating “pollinator deserts” and threatening food security.Native to south-east Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is thought to have arrived in Europe in 2004 and has continued to spread ever since, its numbers probably boosted by increasingly warm springs and summers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Every girl now wants to be a boxer’: excitement in Katie Taylor’s home town for her valedictory bout 05. September 2026 (06:00) Irish boxer lauded for her tenacity and inspiration before her last fight in front of 80,000 people at Croke ParkWhen Katie Taylor steps into the ring on Saturday night to defend her titles and once again enthral Ireland, there will be a bittersweet tinge. After a singular career that pioneered women’s boxing, the super-lightweight champion and Olympic gold medallist is bowing out. She is 40 and it is to be her final bout.“The end of an era, isn’t it?” said Trevor McMahon, her brother-in-law and founder of a gym where she trains. “It’ll be an amazing night but it’ll also be a little bit sad. Everything she did, it might not ever be achieved again.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney set to hit 33C in warmest start to spring since mid-1800s, while snow forecast in southern NSW 05. September 2026 (04:00) A total fire ban is in place for greater Sydney with extreme fire danger exacerbated by hot and windy conditionsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSummer heat is due to arrive early across much of eastern Australia with potentially record early September temperatures predicted for Brisbane and Sydney, while snow was expected in southern New South Wales.Maximum temperatures in Sydney during the first days of September were on track to match the city’s midsummer average of 26.4C, warmer than any other start to spring since the city’s Observatory Hill station opened in 1858. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
