One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts ‘in two minds’ about whether gay people should be equal 25. August 2026 (17:00) Footage shows senator on stage at the Church and State conference responding to question about party’s director James AshbyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Malcolm Roberts told a conference earlier this year that he was in “two minds” about whether gay people should have equal rights.In footage from June’s Church and State conference, released on Sunday, the senator can be seen responding to a question about James Ashby, the party’s director, who is gay. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York business group sues Mamdani over city-owned grocery stores plan 25. August 2026 (16:48) Multicultural Business Coalition sues New York City mayor, alleging plan for city-run stores will harm smaller grocersA New York City business group sued mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday over his plan to create five municipally owned grocery stores.The Multicultural Business Coalition, which says it represents hundreds of small supermarkets, filed two lawsuits in New York county supreme court on Monday, arguing that the plan violates the civil rights of smaller, immigrant- and minority-owned businesses. The group argues that smaller stores would be unable to match the discounts offered by the city grocery stores and “therefore, will be put out of business,” according to the lawsuits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Billie Piper stalker jailed for 12 months after breaching prevention order 25. August 2026 (16:40) Philip Jerome, 49, repeatedly tried to contact actor in hope they would begin a relationship, court hearsA fan obsessed with Billie Piper has been jailed for 12 months after breaching a stalking prevention order.Philip Jerome, 49, from Winchester, had a sexual interest in the singer and actor, and repeatedly tried to get in touch with her in the hope they would end up in a relationship, a court in Hampshire was told. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I love rats but we can’t live with them’: the headache of rising rodent populations around the world 25. August 2026 (16:00) Robert Corrigan has been dealing with the ‘smart’ rodents all his life – and believes there are better solutions to deal with the growing infestation in the world’s cities“The rodents have paid for every single bill I’ve ever had – every mortgage, every car payment, every pint of Guinness,” says Dr Robert Corrigan. “It’s been a great ride and I’m still at it.”New York-based Corrigan is one of the most respected voices in the world of rodentology. Now in his 70s, he has devoted his entire adult life to studying rats and our relationship with them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump claims US could rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid Canada trade war – live 25. August 2026 (14:48) Lake Ontario lays on the border between the two countries, with New York state on one side and Toronto, the capital of Canada’s Ontario province, on the otherSign up for the US Breaking News emailOn Truth Social, however, the president shot down assertions that the US talks with Canada collapsed in part due a proposed trade deal that would have weakened French language protections.“I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!” he wrote. “In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Third drone and suspected military explosives found near Leipzig airport 25. August 2026 (14:37) Local media report discovery by German investigators after attempted attack on cargo and military logistics hubEurope live – latest updatesGerman investigators uncovered a third drone and suspected military explosives thought to be connected to an attempted attack on Leipzig airport, local media have reported.The drone was discovered in Kabelsketal, just to the west of the airport, along with about 50g (1.8oz) of a suspected military explosive on 14 August, 10 days after the unsuccessful sabotage. Leipzig airport is a cargo and military logistics hub used by Nato and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for transporting military supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Tate rented supercars to appear ‘uberwealthy’, says his lawyer 25. August 2026 (14:25) Self-described misogynist and his brother, Tristan, are playing role to generate income from online attention, Miami court filing saysAndrew Tate rented supercars and borrowed a yacht to appear “uberwealthy” and generate online engagement, his lawyer has said.Legal representatives for the self-described misogynist social media influencer and his brother, Tristan Tate, have claimed the pair deliberately portray themselves as far wealthier than they are because their “business model depends on online attention”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US fossil fuel lobbyists also represent hundreds of cities fighting for climate damages 25. August 2026 (14:00) Local governments working with firms also linked to fossil fuel giants, analysis of federal lobbying disclosures showsCongressional lobbyists working for fossil fuel firms that are exacerbating the climate crisis are simultaneously representing more than 300 local governments raising funding to recover from climate damage, according to a new analysis.The research by F Minus and Make Polluters Pay reviewed congressional lobbying disclosures for the first quarter of 2026, finding that another 568 local governments hired fossil fuel lobbyists to work on non-climate related issues during that time, some of which included climate adjacent issues, like healthcare and home insurance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong jailed for slandering ‘heroes and martyrs’ 25. August 2026 (13:53) Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison after already spending two years in detentionGao Zhen, a prominent Chinese artist known for provocative sculptures of the former leader Mao Zedong, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of slandering China’s “heroes and martyrs”. The sentencing came two years after he was detained while visiting the country with his family, according to his wife and human rights groups.The case has attracted international condemnation, largely because the artworks at the centre of the case were created more than 10 years before China created the law under which Gao was charged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China denounces US threat of sanctions over trade with Iran 25. August 2026 (13:43) Beijing says it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect its interests as US steps up efforts to isolate TehranExplainer: could US sanctions threaten China-Iran ties?China has denounced the threat of US sanctions for its trade with Iran, saying any such measures would be illegal, and warned it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its national interests.Beijing’s rejection of the US threat of secondary sanctions for any country or entity continuing to trade with Tehran had been predicted. China buys an estimated 80% of Iran’s oil exports and it has defied previous US efforts to limit the flow of revenue to the Tehran regime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
