Train derailment in East Sussex closes several routes 13. August 2026 (17:57) Rapid emergency response under way after Southern rail service comes off tracks in Lewes areaA passenger train has derailed in East Sussex, prompting a rapid emergency response in the area.Several rail routes were closed after a Southern service came off the tracks near Lewes just before 4pm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Birmingham Four’ lawyers hope spycops inquiry will reopen case 13. August 2026 (17:52) Undercover officers working for West Midlands’ ‘special projects team’ planted evidence to convict men, lawyers claimLawyers representing four men convicted of terror offences are increasingly hopeful that revelations from the undercover policing inquiry could boost the chances of their case being reopened.Ten years ago, Khobaib Hussain, Naweed Ali, Mohibur Rahman and Tahir Aziz were arrested and later convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in the UK after an elaborate covert police operation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK records hottest day of the year as fifth summer heatwave reaches peak 13. August 2026 (17:48) Kew Gardens in London hits 38.1C and 40C-plus expected in parts of Europe with continent trapped under heat domeEurope heatwave – latest updatesThe UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far with a provisional temperature of 38.1C in southern England as Europe sweltered under a major heat dome.As temperatures on the continent approached 40C at the peak of the summer’s fifth heatwave, the thermometer at Kew Gardens in west London surpassed the previous high of 38C on 28 June, the Met Office said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oklahoma man put to death in first of three US executions scheduled on same day 13. August 2026 (17:28) If all executions go ahead, it will be first time in over 15 years there have been over three judicial killings in US in one dayCarlos Cuesta-Rodriguez has been put to death by the state of Oklahoma, in the first of three executions scheduled for Thursday in a rare triple procedure that underlines the renewed appetite in the US for state killings.Cuesta-Rodriguez, 70, was pronounced dead at 10.13am at the Oklahoma state penitentiary in McAlester. He was sentenced to death for murdering his common-law wife, Olimpia Fisher, in 2003. He had unsuccessfully appealed for mercy, saying he was remorseful and had struggled all his life from mental illness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘The colander worked best!’ Guardian readers share their experience of the solar eclipse 13. August 2026 (17:19) Readers recall the breathtaking sight and community spirit of the rare celestial treat – and the handmade contraptions they saw it throughOn Wednesday evening, millions of people in Europe watched a rare solar eclipse. We asked some of them to share their photographs and experiences of this celestial treat.
Here are some of their responses. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
DRC’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth province 13. August 2026 (17:17) Man dies in Bas-Uele after travelling from Haut-Uele, as head of WHO says outbreak on track to be deadliest everThe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to a sixth province, officials have said, a day after the head of the World Health Organization said the outbreak was on track to surpass the deadliest in history, which erupted more than a decade ago and killed more than 11,000 people.Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa CDC, said a death had been recorded in the previously unaffected Bas-Uele province. Kaseya said the man had travelled from Isiro, in Haut-Uele province, to Buta, the capital of Bas-Uele, where he died. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hegseth criticized for locking Democrats out of closed-door defense budget talks 13. August 2026 (17:06) Republican lawmakers express concern after US defense secretary repeatedly excluded Democrats from briefingsUS politics live – latest updatesRepublican senators have criticized the Pentagon for locking Democrats out of classified briefings on defense spending, warning that Pete Hegseth’s approach could jeopardize passage of Donald Trump’s record $1.5tn military budget increase.The US defense secretary has made at least two trips to Capitol Hill in recent weeks to pitch the budget, but has repeatedly excluded Democrats from the closed-door sessions, according to lawmakers from both parties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation staffer accused of posing as leftwing content creator in ‘undercover’ videos 13. August 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: The videos, filmed at anti-One Nation rallies, were posted to party’s social pages and appear to be endorsed by Pauline HansonGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe owners of a progressive social media page have accused One Nation of impersonating them at anti-Pauline Hanson rallies while shooting a series of “undercover” videos.Hanson’s party has recently published a string of videos with a young male host attending leftwing protests. In the clips – published on pages owned by One Nation and Hanson on Instagram, TikTok and X – a party staffer seeks to embarrass protesters in filmed interviews. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is Australia’s Buy Now Pay Later boom at an end? 13. August 2026 (17:00) Several firms promised to disrupt the consumer credit market by offering consumers their purchases instantly and the bill later. Did it work?Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAfterpay has never turned a profit in Australia. Last month, it spent millions to take over a Sydney Olympic Park arena.The company says Afterpay Arena will be the first venue where Australians can “buy now, pay later” for their event tickets, merchandise, dinner and even alcohol. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French ambassador to CAR investigated over claims he hosted dozens of women 13. August 2026 (16:21) Disciplinary proceedings under way after security concerns raised over reported visits to official residenceFrance has opened disciplinary proceedings against its ambassador to Central African Republic over allegations of misconduct, after claims he brought dozens of women into his official residence, raising potential security concerns.The investigation comes as Paris seeks to rebuild relations with CAR after their sharp deterioration in recent years amid Russia’s expanding influence in the former French colony. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
