Giorgia on their minds: Farage and Badenoch scrap to be mates with Meloni 30. August 2026 (06:00) Tories accuse Reform of ‘peddling conspiracy theories’ as row erupts in wake of Conservative leader’s trip to Rome Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have spent years trading barbs and fighting for the rightwing vote. But now the party leaders find themselves in a much more bizarre struggle – for the affections of the rightwing Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.The row began on Monday when the Times published an article claiming that during a meeting in Rome, Meloni had advised the Conservative leader against doing a deal with Farage to unite the right. After complaints from Reform – and, reportedly, Meloni’s team – the article was amended to remove that claim. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia could make social media algorithms optional and follow UK ban on pornography depicting strangulation 30. August 2026 (03:49) Social services minister says social media was playing a role in the increase of sexual violence among teenagersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government is considering allowing users to opt in or opt out of social media algorithms, and is looking at a recent UK ban on depictions of strangulation and suffocation in pornography.The social services minister, Tanya Plibersek, said social media was “playing a huge role” in the increase in sexual violence among teenagers and choking, and confirmed the options were being considered as the government develops its second action plan to end family and domestic violence against women and children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News live: limits on smartglasses being considered, Plibersek says; missing Australian woman located safely in Nepal 30. August 2026 (02:51) ‘My heart goes out to all the Nepalese families who are grieving loved ones,’ Cara Severino says. Follow latest updates liveJoyce explains One Nation’s migration policy with sheep and cattleBarnaby Joyce has used sheep and cattle to illustrate is claim that One Nation wants to cut net overseas migration to 130,000 people without counting short-stay visas.No it’s not. … Short-term visa stay and things such as the Palm scheme, and Pauline’s quite right, are not counted in the net overseas migration number, overwhelmingly – small portion are – because they don’t stay for 12 months. They stay generally for a period of nine.So it’s like saying to someone, how many sheep have you got. You go, ‘well, I’ve got, you know, 5000.’ Oh, yes, and how many cattle have you got? ‘Oh, well, I’ve got 2000.’ Oh, so you’ve got 7000 all up. So, no, no. Two different things. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families balance hope and despair in race to find survivors in Nepal as 41 Australians still missing 30. August 2026 (02:27) The walls of a teaching hospital are filled with pictures of unidentified victims as authorities collect DNA samples and plan burials before morgues fill upFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSome of them are young, some old; most of them appear to be men. Some of them could be sleeping, except for the mud that covers their bodies. Some, it seems, would be impossible to recognise even if you knew them well.Every few hours Nepalese authorities hang pictures of the deceased, who have not been identified, on a wall at the back of a teaching hospital in Kathmandu. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation claims victory in Secret Harbour byelection in Western Australia 30. August 2026 (02:00) One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen secures 57% of the vote after preferences as Barnaby Joyce says ‘politics has changed’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce has declared “politics has changed” after One Nation claimed victory in the Secret Harbour state byelection in Western Australia.The One Nation MP celebrated the win on Sunday and said the results showed his party could convert high polling into on-the-ground votes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fire in California’s Big Sur region doubles in size overnight, forcing evacuations 30. August 2026 (01:51) Plaskett fire has swept through more than 5,900 acres in Monterey county and remains un-contained, says Cal FireA fire in California’s Big Sur region doubled in size overnight, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents, in a coastal region where firefighters have battled another blaze for weeks.The Plaskett fire, which sparked on Tuesday, had swept through more than 5,900 acres (2,400 hectares) in Monterey county as of Friday, and remained un-contained, according to Cal Fire. Its cause is under investigation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestinian woman and NBC News team reportedly attacked in West Bank 29. August 2026 (23:55) Matt Bradley and crew assaulted while interviewing woman who said settlers had driven family out of homeA Palestinian woman and an NBC News team are reported to have been attacked and injured by masked Israeli settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday, amid worsening confrontations in the area.Benjamin Netanyahu said he condemned the violence committed “by a handful of rioters”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
August reveals Australians’ big appetite for weight-loss drugs, love for ‘dupe’ brands and an accelerating EV uptake 29. August 2026 (22:00) Reporting season shows how consumers are responding to cost of living pressures and how retailers are respondingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians are buying less pizza but more weight-loss drugs. They love “dupes” but don’t enjoy writing letters.Here are five key takeaways from the August reporting season that show what consumers are buying as cost of living pressures reignite, and how retailers are responding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tennessee governor says he backs airport name change to honor Dolly Parton 29. August 2026 (21:57) Bill Lee says he favors proposal to rename Nashville’s international airport after legendary country singerBill Lee, the Tennessee governor, on Friday said he favored a proposal to rename Nashville’s international airport after legendary country singer Dolly Parton, who died three days earlier at age 80.In a statement, Lee said he and the managers of the airport in Tennessee’s capital city – where Parton resided – wanted to create “a lasting tribute to her indelible legacy and the generations of people she inspired”. He said he had spoken previously to the 11-time Grammy winner and her team, who were “touched by the idea”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LAPD releases footage of death of man whom police handcuffed and beat 29. August 2026 (21:52) Jose Carlos Hoyoz-Munoz was arrested after a family altercation and restrained for ‘combative’ behaviorA cadre of Los Angeles police officers beat and restrained a handcuffed man in July, minutes before he was found dead in a jail cell, according to newly released body-cam footage.On 15 July, Jose Carlos Hoyoz-Munoz, 58, was found unconscious in his cell at the Van Nuys regional jail. At the time, the LAPD said two use-of-force incidents had occurred, without specifying the nature. In the video released on Friday, the department said three use-of-force incidents occurred. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
