US issues sanctions against UK-based direct action group Palestine Action 26. August 2026 (19:45) US labels group ‘global terrorist’ as Palestine Action challenge against proscription in UK nears supreme court hearingThe US has issued sanctions against the UK-based direct action organisation Palestine Action, describing it as a “transnational terror group”.The US Department of the Treasury labelled Palestine Action a specially designated global terrorist on Wednesday, which allows the US to freeze the assets of foreign individuals and entities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No more UK energy bills support likely before price cap rise 26. August 2026 (18:52) Andy Burnham stops short of pledging further help as gas and electricity prices due to increase by 4% in OctoberHouseholds are unlikely to receive further energy bills support before the October price cap, though more targeted measures could be looked at if there is a further shock in January, government sources said.Gas and electricity prices will rise by 4% from October under the new cap. The government has already removed VAT from domestic electricity bills to save average households £45 a year, a move announced in Andy Burnham’s first week in office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FDA gives expedited approval to new groundbreaking pancreatic cancer drug 26. August 2026 (18:48) FDA officials approve first-of-a-kind pill called daraxonrasib to fight one of the deadliest types of cancerThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a groundbreaking new drug for the most common form of pancreatic cancer, offering US patients a more effective treatment against one of the deadliest types of the disease.FDA officials gave expedited approval to the first-of-a-kind pill, called daraxonrasib, that blocks a mutated protein which fuels tumor growth in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. It’s an approach that has eluded drugmakers for decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Escape wizard’ who has broken out of four prisons is arrested in Spain 26. August 2026 (18:22) Albanian criminal has cut bars, descended sheets and even used human pyramid in escapes in Italy and BelgiumPolice in Spain have arrested a dangerous Albanian criminal nicknamed the “escape wizard” who has managed to break out of four jails in Italy and Belgium by sawing through bars, clambering down knotted sheets and even using a human pyramid to breach prison walls.The fugitive, who has not been officially named, was arrested after officers from the Policía Nacional force discovered he was living in the north-eastern Spanish city of Tarragona. He was the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by the Italian authorities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two women accuse former Fat White Family member Saul Adamczewski of physical and emotional abuse 26. August 2026 (17:42) Insecure Men singer has now been dropped by his record label and had tour dates cancelled after two women shared allegations about his behaviourSaul Adamczewski of Insecure Men and formerly of Fat White Family has been dropped by his record label and had tour dates cancelled after two women shared allegations of physical and emotional abuse against the musician.One woman said that the pair had a short relationship that resulted in a pregnancy, after which, she alleged, Adamczewski “made it his duty to make me suffer. He has been violent, pushed me, thrown glass bottles at me, showered me with beer […] insulted me, taken my passport from me, stolen my money and more, all while I had our baby.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Texas law banning drag shows where children may be present struck down again 26. August 2026 (17:14) ‘This is a profoundly flawed decision that endangers our children and is an affront to Texas values,’ Ken Paxton saysA federal judge has, for a second time, struck down a Texas state law banning drag performances in settings where children may be present.In a ruling issued on Tuesday, US district judge David Hittner said Texas cannot enforce its drag show ban. He said that the measure improperly restricts speech and violates the first amendment of the US constitution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
