UK mortgage borrowers brace for rate jump amid global bond sell-off 03. September 2026 (10:25) Swap rates rise to three-year high as increase in oil prices leads to fears of higher inflationBusiness live – latest updatesHomeowners in the UK are braced for a jump in mortgage rates, driven by higher inflation and interest rate increase expectations amid turmoil in the global bond markets.UK swap rates, which lenders use to price mortgages, have risen to a three-year high, as this week’s global bond market sell-off ripples through the economy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guitar used by George Michael in Faith video goes up for auction 03. September 2026 (10:00) Gretsch Synchromatic 160 acoustic guitar expected to sell for as much as £120,000, as star lot in auction of items owned by late personal assistant Siobhan BaileyOne of the most iconic items in George Michael’s career, the acoustic guitar he energetically strummed in the video for 1987’s Faith, is going up for auction.The guitar, a Gretsch Synchromatic 160 with a sunburst finish to the body, has an estimated sale price of £60,000-£120,000. It comes with a case featuring the words Rockabilly Rebel pasted on it – a reference to the twangy, 1950s-referencing sound of Faith, which topped the US charts for four weeks and became a foundation stone of Michael’s post-Wham! solo career. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charles Perrottet repeatedly denies taking payments from developer for political outcomes in Icac hearing 03. September 2026 (08:28) Brother of the former premier says he lied to developer Jean Nassif about doing political work for him and rejects accusation he is fabricating evidenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCharles Perrottet has repeatedly denied taking payments from the property developer Jean Nassif to achieve political outcomes for him, telling a corruption inquiry he cannot explain a message sent after a Nassif development was refused, which said: “Charles fucked this whole thing.”Charles, the brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, has previously told the Independent Commission Against Corruption he would lie to Nassif about doing political work for him. On Thursday, he said he may also have regularly lied to close friend Christian Ellis, who is named in Icac’s allegations. He rejected the accusation he was fabricating evidence to Icac. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I was never taught Welsh history’: Michael Sheen on reclaiming rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr 03. September 2026 (08:17) Actor will play 15th-century hero in sweeping production about Welsh rebellion against English crownThere are myriad films, plays and books focusing on heroes of English, Scottish and Irish history but far fewer that tell the stories of the great figures of Wales.A major new play about the Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndŵr’s early 15th-century rebellion against the English crown will help redress the balance this autumn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wife of British man at risk of deportation from Sweden calls on Burnham to intervene 03. September 2026 (08:00) Case is latest in string of post-Brexit deportations from country, which has been criticised for high refusal rate for British people to remainThe wife of a British man detained by police in Stockholm on Tuesday ahead of a threatened deportation has pleaded with Andy Burnham to get involved in the Brexit catastrophe unfolding for many British citizens in Sweden.Charles, who does not want to be fully identified, and his Swedish wife, Lily, were summoned to the police station at 10am on Tuesday, where he was told he would be held at a detention centre and deported within the next two weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% ‘will kill people,’ Labor says amid public health alarm 03. September 2026 (07:05) Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan claim drastic cut to price of cigarettes and moves to legalise vapes will combat illicit tobacco tradeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLeading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.Taylor and the Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, on Thursday announced plans for an 80% cut to excise, as well as moves to legalise and regulate vapes and nicotine pouches. The announcement comes weeks after the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, proposed a 75% cut. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
From ‘psyops’ to ‘hysterical hysteria’: how GB News and Talk TV lost their cool in the heatwaves 03. September 2026 (07:00) Thousands of heat-related deaths in record-breaking temperatures appeared to only intensify hosts’ climate denialsAs the first heatwave of the record-breaking summer arrived on 23 May, GB News host Cristo Foufas was not happy: “I am sick to death of the naysayers saying firstly that we’re all going to die and that we have to put out heat alerts, because, you know, just drink some water and drink a bit less rosé in the sunshine.”“We used to call it Darwinism,” replied co-host Renée Hoenderkamp. She is a medical doctor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets 03. September 2026 (07:00) Wayve robotaxis added to Uber app and will have human in front ready to take over if needed – but only 15 cars licensedLondoners are now able to hire self-driving taxis for the first time, after rides in Wayve’s autonomous vehicles were added to the Uber app on Thursday.The chances of landing a robotaxi on request immediately are slim, with only 15 vehicles so far licensed. That contrasts with the more than 100,000 private hire vehicles in the capital – roughly the same number of Uber customers who have registered to take autonomous rides. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gang violence is not ‘out of control’ in Sydney, police minister says after two shootings in two days 03. September 2026 (06:34) Yasmin Catley says ‘we will not be surrendering our streets’ after as many as six suspected mistaken identity shootings since the start of last yearThe New South Wales police minister denies that gang violence is out of control in the state, despite two people being shot dead in suspected cases of mistaken identity in as many days.The police minister, Yasmin Catley, told a media conference on Thursday that while the recent deaths were unacceptable, the force had the resources they needed to tackle organised crime gangs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Internal exclusion’ of England secondary school students almost triples in three years 03. September 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: new data shows poorer pupils and those with Send are disproportionately affected by the measureThe proportion of secondary school students in England removed from class and placed in “internal exclusion” as a disciplinary measure has almost trebled in three years, according to new data.The data shows the proportion of secondary pupils removed from normal lessons went up from 5% in the 2022/2023 academic year to 13% in 2025/26 – a 160% increase. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
