Three boys charged over alleged rape of teenage girl in Sydney home 20. August 2026 (02:05) The 17-year-olds were charged over an alleged attack in Sydney’s south-west on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThree teenage boys have been charged over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl at a home in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday.The three 17-year-old boys were arrested on Wednesday after the girl was allegedly attacked. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California becomes first US state to set efficiency rules for replacement tires 20. August 2026 (01:48) Regulations that would block sale of older tires praised by environmental groups amid rightwing backlashCalifornia has become the first state in the nation to mandate that replacement tires be energy efficient, a major auto industry regulation set to block the sale of older tires and make vehicles on the road greener.State regulators have said the new rules will reduce emissions and drivers’ fuel costs. But the rules – which come as the Trump administrations fights to block other California restrictions to promote greener cars – have already sparked a rightwing backlash, with one conservative news outlet calling the policies a “massive overreach”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Young vapers ‘at risk of breathing problems and becoming smokers’ 20. August 2026 (01:01) Review by paediatricians links child vaping with poor respiratory health such as coughing, wheezing and asthmaYoung people who start vaping risk developing breathing problems and going on to smoke cigarettes, children’s doctors have warned.Child vaping is consistently linked with poor respiratory health, such as coughing, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms and asthma exacerbations, while vapes have been shown to act as a gateway to smoking cigarettes, according to one of the most comprehensive reviews of the available evidence so far undertaken by the Royal College of Child and Paediatrics Health. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prince Harry and Meghan ‘moving back to Britain this month’ 19. August 2026 (23:48) Reports say Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to relocate from US, with children to start British school in SeptemberThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to return to live in Britain, six years after leaving for the US, it was reported.The couple and their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to relocate later this month to a non-royal residence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mike Lindell offers to fund recount in Minnesota Republican primary for governor 19. August 2026 (23:37) MyPillow founder and Trump ally lost primary to Lisa Demuth by 11 points, but still refuses to concede defeatUS politics live – latest updatesThe pillow salesman, Trump supporter and election denier Mike Lindell has offered to personally fund a recount and audit of every paper ballot cast in Minnesota’s Republican gubernatorial primary, which he lost last week.Lindell’s announcement on Wednesday escalates his bid to challenge the results of last week’s vote, after finishing a distant second to the Minnesota house speaker, Lisa Demuth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taxpayers to fund clear-up of illegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent 19. August 2026 (23:30) Andy Burnham promises drive to tackle toxic waste, raise fines and use AI-powered drones to detect illegal activityIllegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent will be cleared up using taxpayer money, Andy Burnham has announced, as the prime minister promises a new drive to tackle toxic waste.Ministers have identified dumps in Bradford, Runnymede and the Isle of Sheppey, which collectively contain about 22,000 tonnes of illegal waste, to be cleared in the next phase of the government’s national clear-up effort. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US gross national debt tops $40tn for first time 19. August 2026 (23:24) Milestone marks years of government spending that grew under both Donald Trump and Joe BidenUS debt reached $40tn for the first time on Wednesday, the US treasury department said, after the government deficit doubled over the last decade.The treasury’s latest debt balance showed $40.047tn on Tuesday afternoon, the highest in US history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Penny Wong condemns ‘insulting’ decision to clear IDF over Gaza strikes that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom 19. August 2026 (23:17) Foreign minister says Australia is ‘outraged’ after Israeli government decided not to pursue criminal proceedings over 2024 triple drone strike on humanitarian convoyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s foreign affairs minister has expressed “outrage” and will call in the Israeli ambassador over the IDF decision overnight not to open a criminal investigation into Gaza strikes that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.In a statement released on Thursday, Penny Wong called the timing of the decision, on World Humanitarian Day, “especially insulting”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Five Americans among seven killed in safari helicopter crash in Kenya 19. August 2026 (22:17) Officials say all seven people onboard killed, including Telemundo executive and Ecuador intelligence chiefSeven people, including five Americans, were killed when a safari helicopter crashed on Wednesday morning in a remote part of northern Kenya, according to local police and the state department.Among the dead were an executive with Telemundo, the US-based Spanish-language network owned by NBC Universal, and the director of Ecuador’s national intelligence service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Another democratic socialist victory – Angie Nixon in Florida – sends shock waves through party establishment 19. August 2026 (21:35) ‘They call us extreme, they call us radical,’ the progressive Senate candidate said. ‘But I think people see through that’US politics live – latest updatesIt wasn’t supposed to be this way.In conservative Florida, Alex Vindman – a retired army intelligence officer who blew this whistle on Donald Trump in his first term – appeared set to carry the Democratic establishment banner as the party staged a long-shot bid to topple a Republican US senator. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
