French far-right leader Jordan Bardella to address Reform UK party conference 28. August 2026 (15:57) Speech part of effort to strengthen National Rally party’s international ties before Marine Le Pen’s presidential bidThe French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is to give a speech at Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham next week as he attempts to boost international ties before Marine Le Pen’s bid for the French presidency next spring.Le Pen’s far-right, anti-immigration National Rally (RN) is high in the polls and she is predicted to reach the final round of the French presidential race in May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Asda returns to growth after more than two years 28. August 2026 (15:00) Chair Allan Leighton says lower prices and an improved online service are attracting more shoppersAsda has heralded its first quarterly growth in more than two years as the supermarket’s boss said it was attracting more shoppers with lower prices and an improved online service.Allan Leighton, the executive chair of the UK’s third-largest grocer, said a 0.2% rise in sales at established stores, excluding fuel, in the three months to the end of June was “a huge milestone” which was “psychologically important for the business”. In the previous quarter sales had fallen 2.3%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Swift appeal likely as judge blocks Trump mail voting order – US politics live 28. August 2026 (14:55) Judge Indira Talwani temporarily blocked US Postal Service from implementing new rule restricting mail-in votingSign up for the US Breaking News emailDonald Trump said today that he will authorize cattle ranchers and farmers to process their own food.This comes after the president’s interview with conservative commentator Glenn Beck, where the radio host implored Trump to “look at “the meat processing cartel” and suggested easing regulations for ranchers to slaughter their own cattle. The president has faced backlash in recent days from his own party for suspending higher tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef to lower grocery store prices. Several Republicans and industry leaders say this is a short-term solution that will hinder cattle ranchers from building out their herd, amid a 75-year low. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
TalkTV under fire for not disclosing reporter’s ties to Reform UK in Channel crossing film 28. August 2026 (14:52) Christian Drogan’s Invading Britain shows former builder turned journalist trying to travel from France to England in small boatRupert Murdoch’s online channel TalkTV is facing criticism after it did not disclose that a journalist who travelled to Britain in a small boat for a documentary was a Reform party member and activist.The channel revealed the “world exclusive” this week, stating that the treacherous journey had made the former builder turned journalist Christian Drogan the first British man “to invade his own country”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump rollback of US forest protections could accelerate extinction of 400 endangered species 28. August 2026 (14:00) Decision to rescind ‘roadless rule’ opens more than 45m acres of national forests to roads, drilling and loggingMore than 400 endangered animal and plant species could face accelerated extinction after the Donald Trump administration’s decision to rescind a rule that has protected old-growth forests for more than two decades.According to a new report from the Center for Biological Diversity, the rollback of the Bill Clinton-era “roadless rule” could put 7.4m acres of endangered-species habitat and nearly 1,800 miles of protected rivers and streams at risk, while opening more than 45m acres of national forests to roads, drilling and logging. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK petrol prices hit highest level in almost four years as bank holiday getaway looms 28. August 2026 (13:56) Average cost of petrol reaches 161.6p a litre, while diesel costs average of 183.4p, according to the AAUK petrol prices have hit their highest level since 2022, piling more financial pressure on motorists before the bank holiday weekend.The average cost of petrol has reached 161.6p a litre, while diesel costs an average of 183.4p a litre, according to the AA breakdown company. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Detroit despairs as ‘insanity’ of Trump’s Canada trade war punishes city 28. August 2026 (13:00) Unpopular new policy comes as midterms loom and control of Congress could be decided by several Michigan racesEvery day $1bn worth of goods crosses the river dividing Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, two largely blue-collar US and Canadian cities that have come to act as one in the creation of North America’s auto industry.News this week of Donald Trump’s escalating trade spat with Canada has everyone worried. Political and economic leaders and observers labeled the move an act of “hubris” , blamed Trump’s “ego”, and called the escalation “insanity”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The chefs turning down the heat by switching from gas to electric 28. August 2026 (13:00) As well as being quieter, cheaper to run and easier to clean, induction cookers can cut kitchen temperatures by up to 10CLeaping flames, searing heat, copious sweat and scorchingly inventive swearing – restaurant kitchens are never a place for the faint-hearted, but this summer they have been sweltering in successive heatwaves to a dangerous degree.Some restaurants, cafes and bakeries in the UK grew so hot that they were forced to close, or reduce their hours, for the safety of their staff. There is still no maximum working temperature, despite calls from the TUC, and tens of thousands of kitchen staff are thought to have carried on working in “furnace-like” conditions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jumping beans: UK shoppers turn to legumes to save cash and improve diet 28. August 2026 (12:05) Sales of beans, lentils and soya bean derivatives on rise while Britons buy less real and fake meatBritish shoppers are munching more beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh – while cutting back on real and plant-based fake meat – to save money and improve their diet.The amount of beans, pulses and soya bean derivatives sold in the UK increased by 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, led by a rise in cheap dried lentils, an analysis has found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump official faces inquiry over claims he diverted wildfire resources to his own property 28. August 2026 (12:00) Exclusive: Michael Boren, a senior official overseeing the US Forest Service, is accused by Democratic senators of ‘inappropriate interference’Donald Trump’s administration is facing calls to launch an investigation into allegations that Michael Boren, a senior official who oversees the US Forest Service, pressed agency staff to deploy additional resources to fight a fire burning near his Idaho ranch.Three Democratic senators accused Boren of “inappropriate interference” in a letter seen by the Guardian, demanding answers from Brooke Rollins, US agricultural secretary. Boren serves as undersecretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
