Weather tracker: More extreme rain in Japan and a tornado in France 28. August 2026 (10:02) Flash flooding and mudslides in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, while convective storms hit western EuropeAfter an “unprecedented” deluge in Chiba in mid-August, Japan has experienced further extreme rainfall in recent days. Moisture from the Sea of Japan brought relentless heavy rain to the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday.In Himi, Toyama, 361.5mm of rain fell in 24 hours, equivalent to half the average annual rainfall in London and Paris. Several rivers burst their banks, triggering flash floods and mudslides, felling and damaging buildings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nicola Coughlan and Matt Lucas among stars backing campaign against AI voice cloning 28. August 2026 (09:15) About 80 people sign open letter to Andy Burnham calling for legislation to protect voice ownershipNicola Coughlan, Hugh Bonneville and Matt Lucas are among a group of actors backing a campaign against artificial intelligence voice cloning.Save Our Voices Now, which is also being supported by Luke Evans, Jen Brister, Siobhán McSweeney and Pearl Mackie, aims to stop the practice in which AI technology is used to replicate a real person’s voice to say anything it is prompted to. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Norway’s King Harald dies leaving stormy succession over crown princess’s Epstein links 28. August 2026 (08:48) Crown Prince Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, corresponded with late US sex offender between 2011 and 2014, long after he was convictedKing Harald V of Norway has died at the age of 89, the palace in Oslo has announced, triggering the succession of his son, Haakon, whose wife Mette-Marit’s association with Jeffrey Epstein has sparked fierce recent controversy.“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6.35 am,” the palace said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We execute the prick’: wife can’t say if Charles Perrottet text was plotting downfall of NSW Liberal minister, Icac hears 28. August 2026 (08:02) Brother of former state premier sent message to wife Anita Perrottet seemingly regarding plan to damage career of rival David ElliottFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCharles Perrottet wrote about a plan to damage a Liberal minister’s career following his brother’s accession to the New South Wales premiership in October 2021, stating “we execute the prick once party room is over”, a corruption inquiry has heard.Anita Perrottet told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Friday she could not recall the meaning of messages exchanged between herself and husband Charles Perrottet in the days before Dominic Perrottet was elected premier by Liberal MPs following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469 28. August 2026 (07:45) Lake has formed at epicentre of flood, forcing rescue teams to withdraw, Chinese state media reportNepal flash flood – latest updatesNearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killedVisual guide: how the deadly flooding unfoldedTell us: have you been affected by the flash floods?China has paused rescue work at the epicentre of the catastrophic flooding in Tibet this week amid fears that a lake formed at the site was at risk of bursting, as the overall death toll in Nepal rose to 469 people, with more than 1,300 missing.A lake formed by immense piles of debris has begun overflowing towards the area where rescue teams were headed, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dolphin dies from H5 bird flu in SA as researchers withdrawn from sub-Antarctic island over ‘psychosocial risk’ 28. August 2026 (07:40) Australian government announces 24 expeditioners based at research station on Macquarie Island will be evacuated over possible ‘prolonged psychological stress’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA dolphin has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, marking the second native mammal species known to have contracted the virus.It comes as the federal government announced it would withdraw researchers from the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island research station due to the “psychosocial risk” of witnessing potential mass seal deaths from H5N1 during the upcoming seal breeding season. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Please don’t rearrange our shoes when we turn up, paramedics in Japan urge 28. August 2026 (07:25) It is polite to reposition a guest’s shoes when they arrive, but the emergency services in one city advise just skipping that partEtiquette, manners and consideration for others are integral pillars of Japanese society but there are times when they might go a step too far, according to one city’s emergency services.The fire department in the central city of Kanazawa has urged people not to tidy up the shoes that paramedic crews have taken off when entering a house, warning it could hinder their ability to get in or out quickly, particularly when carrying someone on a stretcher. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Identity of high-profile Queensland man drawn into extortion case to remain secret after court ruling 28. August 2026 (07:20) Man – referred to as MM by court – will keep his identity hidden after legal challenge against suppression dismissedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe identity of a high-profile Queensland man drawn into a Cairns extortion case will remain secret, after the state’s supreme court threw out a legal challenge against a suppression order.The man – referred to as MM by the court – was drawn into an extortion case earlier this year. He is not a party to the case and is not accused of any offence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bondi library returns book How to Sell a Genocide to shelves after State Library ‘outlines the law’ 28. August 2026 (06:25) Book was removed for review earlier this month following complaint but reinstated after petition and State Library letter to Waverley councilFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Sydney library has returned to its borrowing shelves a book critical of Israel called How to Sell a Genocide following a public campaign and an intervention from the State Library of New South Wales.Waverley library removed the book “for review” earlier this month after the Jewish news outlet JWire reported it had approached the council. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Confluence of errors’ led to Belgian tourist Celine Cremer’s death in Tasmanian wilderness, coroner finds 28. August 2026 (06:10) Coroner finds 31-year-old deviated from a walking track as dusk fell, four days before the winter solsticeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOverlapping errors, including a lack of preparation in near-freezing winter weather, contributed to the death of a Belgian tourist on a wilderness track.Celine Cremer set off on a walk at Philosopher Falls in Tasmania’s remote north-west on 17 June 2023 and was reported missing almost 10 days later. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
