Temperatures to fall across Europe as substantial rain heading for parts of UK 17. August 2026 (11:37) Temperatures could drop by more than 15C compared with last Thursday as cold front moves arrives from MondayRelief from the unrelenting heat is finally arriving this week across western Europe, with more unsettled conditions bringing the chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to fall back towards the seasonal norm, with some parts of the UK even falling about 3C below normal by Thursday. After such a scorching summer, and with a temperature drop of more than 15C compared with last Thursday’s heat, it may feel surprisingly chilly.There are signs that some substantial rain could be on the cards for the south of the UK this week as a cold front moves in from the Atlantic on Monday night into Tuesday. As of Monday, parts of southern England had endured 62 consecutive days of no rainfall – this is observed at a Met Office weather station in Wisley, Surrey. Even the last recorded rainfall here on 16 June amounted to just 0.4mm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly 17. August 2026 (11:15) Operator wins track access approval for up to 20 daily return trains through tunnel to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030Business live – latest updatesVirgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, in a step forward for its plans to break’s Eurostar’s passenger monopoly on the cross-Channel route.The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it had granted approval for Sir Richard Branson’s company to run up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel tunnel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff 17. August 2026 (11:05) PM was in contact with unknown person pretending to be senior White House aide Susie Wiles, it is understoodAndy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the Guardian understands.The prime minister was in contact with an unknown individual pretending to be the senior White House aide Susie Wiles before concerns were raised about the incident. No messages of significance were sent and the suspicious activity was quickly reported to the appropriate authorities, it is understood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Massive Attack and Paris Paloma join musicians urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling 17. August 2026 (11:00) Brian Eno and Olly Alexander also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityBusiness live – latest updatesMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be exported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon warns UK chancellor not to hike taxes on banks 17. August 2026 (10:33) Billionaire CEO of world’s biggest bank says any windfall tax on sector’s bumper profits could harm jobs in CityBusiness live – latest updatesJamie Dimon, the boss of the US bank JP Morgan, has urged John Healey not to use his first budget as chancellor to increase taxes on banks’ bumper profits.Speculation has been growing that a windfall tax could be imposed on UK lenders to fund Andy Burnham’s cost of living agenda, with campaigners estimating such a move could raise £19bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Who is Hasan Piker – and why are some Australian conservatives outraged about his return to the ABC? 17. August 2026 (09:46) The leftwing commentator has been invited to appear on the Planet America program on Monday nightThe ABC is set to air the return of its Planet America program on Monday night as the US midterm elections gain steam, with a new episode featuring the leftwing commentator Hasan Piker.Host John Barron said the episode will focus on the “rise of Democratic socialists and the populist left”, with Piker speaking about “what it’s like in the eye of a political storm”. But the appearance quickly sparked the ire of conservatives in Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian teachers are to be the best paid in Australia. A union rebellion helped seal the deal 17. August 2026 (09:10) Salaries will rise 28.3% to 32.4% over four years, an outcome partly shaped by a rank-and-file revolt within the Australian Education UnionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria’s school teachers are to become the highest paid in the country, after accepting the state government’s latest pay and conditions offer after a year-long bargaining process.Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted 79% in favour of the offer on Monday, which will deliver total pay rises of between 28.3% and 32.4% over four years, plus a $2,000 bonus at the start of the agreement. The union also confirmed a planned strike will not go ahead on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hamas calls for Trump’s Board of Peace to ‘compel’ Israel over Gaza peace plan – Middle East crisis live 17. August 2026 (09:02) Jared Kushner set to meet Netanyahu following talks with HamasJared Kushner meets with Hamas ahead of talks with Netanyahu on GazaEarlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza, stating that no military pull-out will happen until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed.Trump’s Board of Peace in July proposed the 15-point plan, which mandated that Hamas disarm in exchange for providing a full Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and an eventual transition of power to an independent Palestinian National Committee.Israel does not accept the 15-point document. The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. And we are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament. Right now, we are talking with the Americans about this issue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor pledges opt-out register for online gambling ads akin to Do Not Call register for spam calls 17. August 2026 (07:23) The new measure falls short of calls for gambling ads to move to an opt-in model, or for an outright banFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Labor government has pledged a new single-service opt-out register for gambling ads – an idea similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls – as part of amendments to its wagering ad bill, as well as restrictions on inducements and limiting commissions for agents.The communications minister, Anika Wells, has also confirmed gambling companies will face a new levy to pay for the register, a beefed-up measure to curb wagering ads, after concerns were raised through a Senate inquiry that people would struggle to find or complete individual opt-out options on each online service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More women will die if domestic abusers leave prison early, victim’s parents warn 17. August 2026 (07:00) Parents of Michaela Hall, whose partner killed her after he left prison in 2021, say Probation Service cannot cope with mass releaseMore women will die if ministers include domestic abusers in the early prison release scheme, the parents of a woman murdered by her partner shortly after he was freed have warned.Michaela Hall, a 49-year-old charity worker, was killed in her home in Cornwall, by Lee Kendall in 2021 two weeks after he was released from prison, where he had been serving a sentence for assaulting her. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
