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)
Channel 5 drama to examine how Nicola Sturgeon’s ex-husband stole SNP funds 26. August 2026 (15:00) To Nicola, Love Peter will focus on couple’s relationship during 12-year period of embezzlement and fallout of caseChannel 5 is reuniting with the producers of Power: the Downfall of Huw Edwards for a drama about how Nicola Sturgeon’s former husband embezzled £400,000 from the Scottish National party and the impact it had on her reputation.To Nicola, Love Peter will examine the couple’s relationship over the 12-year period that Peter Murrell diverted funds from the SNP while he was the chief executive to spend on items including a £124,550 motorhome and more than £2,600 on a pair of luxury salt and pepper grinders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Women using HRT at lower risk of dementia, study suggests 26. August 2026 (14:51) Scientists found those who had used hormone replacement therapy were 10% less likely to be diagnosed with dementiaHormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of dementia, a study has found.Scientists tracked more than 180,000 postmenopausal women in the UK in the largest study of its kind. They found that those who had used HRT were 10% less likely to develop any type of dementia and 16% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the most common form, compared with those who had never used it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Major casualties’ feared after flash floods along Nepal-Tibet border 26. August 2026 (14:51) Hundreds missing and at least 22 people dead after floods sweep away houses, roads, bridges and power projectsHundreds are missing and at least 22 people have died after torrential floods hit the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and in Tibet in China.Houses, roads, bridges and power projects were swept away in Nepal while officials in Tibet said they feared “major casualties” with some missing in the county of Gyirong after a mudslide hit a land crossing between the neighbours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Murder investigation launched after two die in Middlesbrough house fire 26. August 2026 (14:09) Cleveland police not ruling out links to organised crime, as fire comes amid force’s investigation into fatal A66 crashA murder investigation has been launched after a house fire in Middlesbrough killed two people, with police not ruling out links to organised crime.The blaze in the early hours of Wednesday came as police continued to investigate the wider circumstances around a collision on Saturday on the A66 that killed seven people, including two police officers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
