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)
Will Trump’s next press secretary be a better liar than the first five? 13. August 2026 (16:02) As Karoline Leavitt plans to step down, it’s apparent how the president above all values a readiness to twist the truthAs Karoline Leavitt prepares to step down from her role as Donald Trump’s fifth White House press secretary, a brief review of her tenure, and that of her predecessors, makes clear that the most fabulist president in US history prizes one quality above all else in the women and men who speak for him: a willingness to tell outrageous lies.Leavitt started her tenure by telling a wild falsehood at her very first news conference, when she claimed that the Biden administration had planned to use $50m in taxpayer dollars to send condoms to Gaza. Later the same day, the Guardian reported that the claim was directly contradicted by USAID records. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man, 102, dies after alleged assault in south Wales pub 13. August 2026 (15:59) Phillip Ormerod was taken to hospital after the incident in the Crow’s Nest in Cwmbran and later died of his injuriesA 102-year-old man has died of his injuries after allegedly being assaulted at a pub in south Wales.Phillip Ormerod, of Cwmbran in the Welsh valleys, was taken to hospital after the incident at the Crow’s Nest pub on 1 August. Gwent police said on Thursday that he had since died. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian businessman admits organising bomb attack ‘to boost friend’s security’ 13. August 2026 (15:26) Valter Lavitola has confessed to masterminding bombing at home of investigative reporter Sigfrido RanucciAn Italian businessman has admitted to masterminding a bomb attack at the home of Sigfrido Ranucci, a prominent investigative journalist, claiming it was intended to boost his security protection.Valter Lavitola, who was friends with Ranucci, the host of Report, an investigative programme aired by the state broadcaster, Rai, made the confession to investigators after his arrest earlier this week in connection with the case, the businessman’s lawyer, Sergio Cola, told the Italian media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Questions over Karoline Leavitt’s replacement as she steps down as White House press secretary – US politics live 13. August 2026 (14:58) Leavitt’s departure three months before midterms raises questions over who will communicate Trump’s messages as his approval rating falls to record low, says YouGov pollingSign up for the Breaking News US emailEmily Moreno, the ex-wife of the embattled congressman Max Miller, has sued her former husband and his lawyer for uploading a picture of their infant daughter to a publicly accessible Dropbox folder as part of their custody battle.The complaint argues that Miller “recklessly published and disclosed to the world a nude image” of their daughter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan condemns visit by Vladimir Putin to disputed Kuril Islands 13. August 2026 (14:56) Japanese PM says islands seized by Soviets late in second world war are part of Japan under international lawThe Japanese government has reacted angrily to Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, which are claimed by both Tokyo and Moscow.Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, summoned the Russian ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev, while the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, called Putin’s actions “absolutely unacceptable”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RSC postpones Othello while leading actor Sharon D Clarke has cancer treatment 13. August 2026 (14:35) Radical reimagining of Shakespeare play was due to run at Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 13 February to 3 April 2027The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that it will postpone its radical production of Othello starring Sharon D Clarke, while the Olivier-winning actor undergoes treatment for cancer.The production, directed by Monique Touko, was scheduled to run from 13 February to 3 April 2027 at the Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Clarke, 60, is best known for her role as Lola Griffin in the BBC medical drama Holby City, as well as for her theatrical performances in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Caroline, or Change. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
