UK cinemas look at banning Meta smart glasses over piracy fears 20. August 2026 (16:57) Trade body says local chains would have to balance concerns with potential benefits of AI-enabled technologyCinemas across the UK are considering banning customers from wearing Meta’s smart glasses amid fears they could be used to pirate films.The UK Cinema Association (UKCA) trade body said that a number of local chains could end up introducing policies that restrict camera-enabled smart glasses at the big screen, adding to a growing list of venues concerned about covert use. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Racism and sexism have become normalised in Britain, says equalities minister 20. August 2026 (16:36) Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson says politicians have helped fuel hatred and that police are not taking violence against women and girls seriously enoughRacism and sexism have become normalised in Britain, the equalities minister has said, as she warned that young men were being sucked into violent misogyny by the “cesspit” of social media.Bridget Phillipson said she was increasingly worried about how commonplace misogyny and racism had become, fuelled by online interactions and statements by politicians she said would not have been acceptable a few years ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lewes rail line to reopen in September as work under way to remove train 20. August 2026 (16:13) Derailed carriages lifted using two cranes as workers operate under ‘very challenging circumstances’Business live – latest updatesThe East Sussex railway line on which a train derailed will reopen in September as crews continue to remove the carriages that left the track.Rail bosses said they were prioritising reopening the route before the end of the school holidays, despite recovery workers operating under “very challenging circumstances”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump plan to allow drilling near US world heritage site sparks alarm 20. August 2026 (16:00) Administration’s plan to scrap drilling-free buffer zone around New Mexico site prompts scrutiny from UnescoThe Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas extraction across the US is set to bring drilling near cherished natural and cultural sites, raising alarm among conservationists and prompting questions from the UN’s heritage body.Unesco said it has received information on the administration’s plan to scrap a drilling-free buffer zone around the Chaco Culture national historical park in New Mexico, a world heritage site and one of the most important cultural areas in the US. A Unesco spokesperson said it has procedures regarding “potential threats” to a world heritage property and was awaiting a response from the federal government as to its impact. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Republicans ran up the tab’: Democrats outraged over $40tn national debt – live 20. August 2026 (14:51) US national deficit has doubled over the past decade with spending growing under Trump and BidenUS gross national debt tops $40tn for first timeSign up for the US Breaking News emailNatalie Harp, special assistant to President Donald Trump, continues to be the focus of media attention Thursday after an MSNOW report revealed that she had worked at the White House for nearly a year without obtaining a security clearance.Harp, a former One America News Network show host, has emerged as a key gatekeeper to the president. Her presence with Trump when the president left Air Force One as a decoy while sneaking onto another plane in a service cart – even as senior officials remained behind – drew attention. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Travelodge boss quits amid fallout over hotel chain’s security failings 20. August 2026 (14:47) Joanna Boydell steps down after widespread criticism over company’s handling of guest safety issuesBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Travelodge has resigned after a backlash over security failings at the hotel chain, including a case where a domestic abuser was given a key to a woman’s room before assaulting her.In a company statement on Thursday, Travelodge said Joanna Boydell had stepped down and been temporarily replaced by its finance chief, Ray Reidy. The company has launched a formal search for a permanent substitute. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boohoo fined €2.3m by French watchdog over deceptive discounts 20. August 2026 (14:40) Fashion site also broke rules on labelling by using terms ‘leather’ or ‘suede’ for synthetic productsThe British online fashion seller Boohoo has been fined €2.3m (£2m) by France’s consumer watchdog for deceptive practices such as offering fake discounts.The Manchester-based firm, whose parent company renamed itself Debenhams Group last year, was found to have exaggerated the discounts it was offering, giving shoppers a false impression of the savings they were making, according to the directorate-general for competition, consumer affairs and fraud control. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel’s Ben-Gvir posts video of gallows site for hanging Palestinians 20. August 2026 (14:34) Far-right minister says those convicted in military courts of terror offences will be executed after passing of death penalty law that does not apply to IsraelisIsrael’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has attracted international sanctions and condemnation for his activities, has posted a gloating video of the construction of the site of a gallows where Palestinians convicted of terror offences, but not Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes, will be hanged.Ben-Givr said the new execution site would be equipped with viewing booths where families of victims could watch the hangings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Harry and Meghan’s security funding on UK return is private matter, Burnham says 20. August 2026 (14:30) Prime minister wishes couple well in their move back from the US to a non-royal residence outside London• Harry and Meghan: key moments and controversies since US moveSecurity funding for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they return to live in the UK this month is a “private matter”, Andy Burnham has said.News of Harry and Meghan’s planned return to Britain from the US came as a surprise to many on Wednesday night; King Charles was only informed three days earlier. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘You have got to go’: former NSW minister tells Icac ‘something strange at play’ when she was sacked by Perrottet 20. August 2026 (14:21) Eleni Petinos tells inquiry her sacking as a minister in Dominic Perrottet’s government was potentially motivated by her reluctance to get rid of the building commissionerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former New South Wales fair trading minister Eleni Petinos has given evidence at a corruption inquiry that she may have been used by fellow Liberals to try to get rid of the building commissioner David Chandler, recounting numerous attempts in 2022 to persuade her he was “dodgy” and should be sacked.She has also told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) inquiry that her subsequent sacking as a minister in the Dominic Perrottet government in July 2022 – allegedly for bullying staff – was unfair and potentially motivated by her reluctance to sack the building commissioner. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
