Trump administration announces changes to Head Start in overhaul 07. August 2026 (01:27) While officials say proposed revisions will encourage more enrollment, advocates say it will undermine the programThe Trump administration has said it plans to overhaul Head Start, tossing out many of the regulations that are the hallmark of the early education program for the nation’s neediest children.Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the federally funded preschool program, said on Thursday the proposed changes would encourage more local decision-making, but the proposal has sparked alarm across the Head Start community, where advocates say it threatens the backbone of the antipoverty initiative. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge approves $106m settlement over deadly 2019 Hard Rock Hotel collapse 07. August 2026 (01:13) Settlement ends years-long legal battle over collapse of 18-story hotel that was under construction in New OrleansA judge approved a $106m settlement on Thursday that ends a years-long legal battle over the deadly 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel that was under construction in New Orleans.The 18-story hotel project partially collapsed in October 2019 , killing three people and damaging nearby property. A grand jury ultimately decided against indicting anyone in the deadly collapse, but lawsuits were filed, including one brought by the city of New Orleans in August 2020 naming the building owners, their partners and contractors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump again rebukes Jeanine Pirro over reflecting pool ‘vandalism’ case 07. August 2026 (00:51) President attacks ‘terrible mistake’ of US attorney, who said in court filing damage stemmed from botched renovationDonald Trump has doubled down on his criticism of Jeanine Pirro after the US attorney for the District of Columbia publicly challenged his claims that vandals had damaged the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.“She said there was no vandalism. There was tremendous vandalism,” Trump told NBC News on Thursday. “So, she made a terrible mistake. I don’t understand why she did such a stupid thing.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump signs new orders targeting birthright citizenship 06. August 2026 (23:08) Executive orders come after supreme court rejected president’s first bid to restrict guarantee enshrined in US constitutionDonald Trump on Thursday signed two executive orders that the White House said aims to restrict eligibility for birthright citizenship and ban “birth tourism”.The orders come just over a month after the United States supreme court rejected Trump’s first attempt to restrict the guarantee of birthright citizenship enshrined in the US constitution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It is British life’: No 10 vows to stop councils trying to limit standing in pubs 06. August 2026 (23:07) Westminster council has recommended banning ‘vertical drinking’ or ordering at the bar in new draft licensing policyNo 10 has vowed to confiscate powers from local councils which try to restrict customers from standing up while drinking in pubs or ordering at the bar.It comes after the Guardian revealed on Thursday that Westminster council in central London recommended not allowing “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in its new draft licensing policy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mitch McConnell announces discharge from rehabilitation center 06. August 2026 (21:47) Republican, 84, absent from Senate after fall that led to hospital stay, says he will continue recovery at homeUS politics live – latest updatesThe Republican US senator Mitch McConnell has been discharged from a rehabilitation center following the fall that left him hospitalized, he announced on Thursday.McConnell, 84, whose weeks‑long absence from Capitol Hill fueled mounting speculation about his health, said he will continue his recovery at home. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Aipac-linked Super Pacs spend millions in California to thwart progressive candidate 06. August 2026 (21:19) More than $5m in recent weeks have been spent in ads targeting Aisha Wahab and in support of Melissa HernandezSuper Pacs tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) have spent millions in a California congressional race to keep a progressive Democrat from winning Eric Swalwell’s former seat.Aisha Wahab, a state senator who has been endorsed by the California Democratic party, is widely considered the frontrunner in the special election for the district covering a swathe of the East Bay. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge dons demand accountability over Jason Arday appointment 06. August 2026 (20:40) Exclusive: Academics say university must take responsibility for ‘grotesque racism’ unleashed and hold independent inquiryThe University of Cambridge’s leaders deserve blame for the “grotesque racism unleashed” by Jason Arday’s appointment as professor, according to academics calling for the university to hold an independent inquiry.The Guardian understands that senior dons at Cambridge are circulating a joint letter calling for an inquiry into the processes and circumstances around Arday being given the position, with many suggesting the university wanted a “quick fix” to improve the diversity of its staff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration to pay German firm $1.22bn to cut offshore wind leases 06. August 2026 (20:20) Agreement with RWE is fifth deal Trump team has made with energy companies, offering payouts to give up projectsThe German energy company RWE has reached a $1.22bn deal with the US government to relinquish its offshore wind leases and instead redirect funds towards fossil fuel investments.The agreement marks the fifth deal the Donald Trump administration has struck with energy companies, offering payouts in exchange for abandoning renewable energy projects and redirecting investment towards fossil fuels. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Covent Garden victims stabbed in the back with pair of scissors, court hears 06. August 2026 (20:06) Stella Gollovena, 47, has been charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harmA woman has appeared in court accused of stabbing four men in the back with a pair of scissors in one of London’s busiest tourist districts.Stella Gollovena, 47, is accused of attacking Patrick De Barr, Thomas Harding, Adrian Lovett and Mantas Jankus during the attack in Covent Garden on Wednesday lunchtime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
