Reform’s Tice accused of misinformation after urging people to enjoy heatwaves 17. August 2026 (20:06) Backlash from nurses, medical experts and green campaigners in response to deputy leader dismissing efforts to reach net zeroReform’s deputy leader has been accused of spreading misinformation after he dismissed efforts to tackle the climate crisis and urged British people to enjoy the warmth of the recent heatwaves.Richard Tice prompted a backlash from nurses, medical experts and green campaigners on Monday after he told a press conference he believed it was “arrogant” to try to stop the climate emergency, while encouraging people to focus on upsides such as better English wine.Additional reporting by Denis Campbell and Ajit Niranjan Continue reading...(The Guardian)
People with severe intellectual disabilities live 24 years less on average 17. August 2026 (20:00) Exclusive: Research also finds stark ethnic disparities, and 40% of deaths among group classed as avoidablePeople living with severe intellectual disabilities are dying 24 years younger on average than the wider population, a study has found, with 40% of such deaths being avoidable.The study also found that within this group, people from minority ethnic backgrounds were dying 14 years younger than their white counterparts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers drop plan to relax affordable housing rules after negative response 17. August 2026 (19:45) Government concedes ‘significant opposition’ requires new approach on quotas for medium-sized development sitesMinisters have dropped plans to relax affordable housing rules for developers in England after a backlash from housing experts who warned it could drastically cut the number of cheaper homes available in rural areas.The government said on Monday it would not go ahead with proposals to end affordable housing quotas for private builders on sites containing between 10 and 49 houses after a consultation triggered an overwhelmingly negative response. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s move to gut South Korea alliance is ‘inane, haphazard decision’, lawmakers say 17. August 2026 (19:43) US president’s abrupt order to scale back joint exercises with Seoul is meant to ‘flatter’ North Korea’s dictator, top Democrat saysUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s move to gut Washington’s 73-year-old military alliance with Seoul has been called “inane” and “shortsighted” as lawmakers warned it risked strengthening Russia’s hand in Ukraine.The US president abruptly ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea just days after North Korea test-fired ballistic missiles, justifying the decision by citing his “very good relationship” with Kim Jong-Un, the nuclear-armed dictator such exercises exist to deter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amanda Abbington awarded five-figure sum by BBC over bullying allegations on Strictly 17. August 2026 (19:05) BBC apologises to actor after review upholds ‘some’ of her allegations against dance partner Giovanni PerniceThe actor Amanda Abbington has reached a five-figure settlement with the BBC over bullying allegations she made about her time on Strictly Come Dancing.The programme was the subject of a review in 2024 after she alleged her professional partner, Giovanni Pernice, had bullied and harassed her. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Netanyahu and Kushner talks make no breakthrough on stalled Gaza deal 17. August 2026 (18:42) Israeli PM again insists troops will not withdraw from strip until Hamas first disarms, but calls meeting constructiveBenjamin Netanyahu has told Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner there can be no progress on the stalled Gaza ceasefire deal or an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal strip until Hamas first disarms.An Israeli official said there had been no breakthrough in the meeting between the pair, saying Netanyahu had made it clear the IDF would not withdraw and would continue to carry out operations in Gaza. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jon Ossoff calls Trump’s handling of Iran war ‘uniquely despicable’ in excoriating speech 17. August 2026 (18:31) Georgia Democratic senator has stoked speculation for 2028 presidency bid by delivering stinging attacks on TrumpDemocratic senator Jon Ossoff has attacked Donald Trump’s “uniquely despicable” handling of the US-Israel war on Iran, accusing the US president of “re-rigging” a corrupt system for himself in an excoriating speech.Ossoff, who is running for re-election in Georgia in November, has repeatedly stoked speculation that he is laying the ground for a bid for the US presidency in 2028 by delivering a series of stinging attacks on Trump and his administration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European farmers face ‘unprecedented crisis’ after successive heatwaves 17. August 2026 (18:01) Vegetable and grain growers call for urgent action, warning of ‘catastrophic’ harvests due to continent-wide droughtSuccessive intense heatwaves and an increasingly severe, continent-wide drought have left many of Europe’s farmers in an “unprecedented” crisis, with vegetable and grain growers in particular warning of “catastrophic” harvests.French vegetable production is down by “a very significant extent” compared with previous years, French growers have said, with shortfalls put at 25% for courgettes, 35% for lettuces, 40% for peas, 60% for broccoli and 50% to 100% for artichokes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can Trump’s peace plan for Gaza be saved? – The Latest 17. August 2026 (17:56) Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an attempt to salvage a ceasefire in Gaza.The talks come after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point peace plan for the territory in a rare public break with the Trump administration this month.Nosheen Iqbal speaks to global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s economy showing signs that slowdown may be extending 17. August 2026 (17:36) Industrial output and retail sales slump in July after one of the country’s weakest quarterly growth rates everChina’s economy is showing signs of extending a slowdown with a slump in industrial output and retail sales in July, adding to pressure on Beijing to intervene with measures to support activity.After the world’s second largest economy posted one of its lowest quarterly growth readings on record in the three months to June, the latest figures suggest it continued to falter in July. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
