South African police arrest two Thai men for allegedly smuggling parrot eggs 26. August 2026 (17:09) Bird eggs intercepted in homemade incubators at Johannesburg airport as officials try to halt wildlife traffickingSouth African police have arrested two Thai nationals in separate incidents for allegedly attempting to smuggle endangered parrot eggs out of the country as authorities try to stem the tide of wildlife trafficking.A 50-year-old Thai national was arrested at OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg on 20 August, carrying 50 bird eggs in a homemade incubator in a hand-luggage bag, South Africa’s environment ministry said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ending private health rebate for Australians 65 and over is ‘good policy change’, report co-author finds 26. August 2026 (17:00) Research finds just 0.1-0.4% of the total insured population will ditch insurance, while the government will save as much as $940m a yearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRemoving the higher private health insurance rebate for people aged 65 and over is good policy that is unlikely to place additional pressure on public hospitals, according to health economists.The proposed changes, set to take effect in April 2027, will mean the private health insurance rebate will depend only on how much money a person earns – matching the rules for people aged under 65. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Pack of lies’: Robert Jenrick launches personal attack on Kemi Badenoch 26. August 2026 (17:00) Reform MP seeks to heap pressure on Tory leader amid confusion around details of meeting with Giorgia MeloniRobert Jenrick has accused Kemi Badenoch of telling “a pack of lies” about her meeting with the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, as he launched a deeply personal attack on his former boss.The Reform UK MP sought to heap pressure on the Conservative leader amid confusion about whether Meloni urged Badenoch at a meeting in Rome to “be her own woman” and resist doing a deal with his party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Reluctant’ approval for Tasmanian datacentre sets marker for national battle 26. August 2026 (17:00) Concerns over planning process as George Town council gives go-ahead for 288MW AI factory despite opposition from localsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe day before Anthony Albanese secured agreement with states and territories to develop national datacentre standards, a small council in Tasmania was grappling with the existing regulations in the face of strong community opposition to a new AI factory planned for its town.The George Town council voted 6-1 to approve the plans of Australian developer Firmus to build a 288 megawatt (MW) datacentre at Long Reach, north of Launceston, but said it did so reluctantly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why are European leaders staying silent after our summer of climate shock? 26. August 2026 (16:40) Lethal temperatures and wildfires have exposed a widening gulf between voters demanding action and politicians unwilling to confront the long-term choices global heating requires• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereThe climate crisis means “we’re going to have to change everything – the way we live, the way we produce, the way we trade,” France’s veteran radical-left firebrand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, told the summer congress of his France Insoumise party last weekend.The term “climate change”, said Mélenchon – the most likely rival to Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential run-off, according to one poll this week – may sound “almost reassuring”, but its actual impact will feel like “landing on another planet whenever we leave home”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Flight attendant’s breast cancer was occupational disease, court rules 26. August 2026 (16:36) Sophie Lainault, who worked for Air France, wins legal case linking illness to more than 12,600 hours on flightsA flight attendant in France has succeeded in having her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease, a first for the country’s aviation industry, her lawyer and a trade union said.The ruling, which recognised that Sophie Lainault, a former flight attendant for Air France, had frequently worked at night and been exposed to passive smoking, could pave the way for similar claims, the lawyer and the CFDT union said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pubs, bars and hotels report ‘Burnham bounce’ in optimism but call for further tax relief 26. August 2026 (16:35) Sentiment in hospitality and brewing sectors more positive since business rates action, trade bodies’ survey findsPubs, bars and hotels have reported a “Burnham bounce” in optimism as a result of the prime minister’s overtures to the sector, polling suggests, but they warn that the goodwill could evaporate without further tax relief.Andy Burnham has positioned himself as a staunch ally of the UK’s hospitality industry both before and since his arrival at No 10, last month announcing a discount on business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Devon man becomes first person to swim Switzerland’s 10 largest lakes 26. August 2026 (15:58) Neil Gilson completes 230-mile challenge after a ‘tough’ 22-hour crossing of Lac LémanHe staggered rather than sprang out of the lake but it wasn’t surprising.Neil Gilson, a former international athlete, could be forgiven for feeling a little wobbly, having become the first person to swim the 10 largest lakes in Switzerland, a total of about 230 miles (370km). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ICE agent embroiled in interstate extradition dispute after allegedly shooting Venezuelan man 26. August 2026 (15:34) Christian Castro is charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime by anotherSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent accused of firing his gun and wounding a Venezuelan man in the leg is caught in an interstate extradition dispute between Texas and Minnesota – and could walk out of a Texas jail as soon as Wednesday if a federal judge does not intervene.Christian Castro is charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime by another, in relation to the incident where he was involved in the wounding of 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump touts primary success after Republicans win elections in South Carolina and Oklahoma – live 26. August 2026 (15:01) Sister of late Lindsey Graham, who has been backed by Trump, overcomes concern about lack of experience to win place on November ballotDarline Graham wins Republican primary for US SenateSign up for the US Breaking News emailA US military strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean on Tuesday killed four people, officials said.US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said in a post on X that the strike targeted a vessel “operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
