Cambridge professor Jason Arday resigns amid accusations of plagiarism 05. August 2026 (22:08) Sociology professor to stand down after university announces investigation into his qualifications and careerPlaybooks, plagiarism and a pig’s head: the claims surrounding a star Cambridge professorJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, has resigned after the university announced he was to face new investigations into his qualifications and career.Arday, who had been dogged by a growing series of questions over his academic work and credentials, issued a statement on Wednesday night, saying the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures, says Yvette Cooper 05. August 2026 (22:00) Health secretary says global heating means UK hospitals and GPs will have to prepare for summer as well as winter peaks of demandAdapting to global heating: which UK public services are struggling in hot weather?The NHS has been warned to prepare for potential annual summer crises caused by extreme heat with the same pressures as winter, as heatwaves caused by the climate crisis become routine in the UK.The health secretary, Yvette Cooper, said NHS staff were feeling A&E pressures that would normally be expected only during flu season – and said the government would use major investment in NHS infrastructure to tackle the health service’s resilience to high summer temperatures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Adapting to global heating: which UK public services are struggling in hot weather? 05. August 2026 (22:00) As NHS told to prepare for extreme weather, strain also felt in other areas including transport and farmingNHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures, says Yvette CooperThe NHS has been told it must become more resilient to increasingly frequent heatwaves supercharged by the climate crisis, as the UK government puts adaptation to extreme heat high on its agenda. But what other public services are already feeling the strain? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chief constable considers joining legal action if PC’s killers are released early 05. August 2026 (21:51) Thames Valley’s top officer says he may join Police Federation in court if convicted pair are freed from jailThe chief constable of Thames Valley police has said he will consider joining legal action against the government if it fails to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.The Police Federation is contemplating going to court in its attempts to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Understanding reached on coordinates for shipping route through Hormuz, Iran says 05. August 2026 (21:31) Joint statement with Oman is being finalised, but Tehran says deal alone would not guarantee waterway’s securityIran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographic coordinates for a shipping route through the strait of Hormuz, and a joint announcement is being finalised provided certain third parties do not interfere, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday.Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US to shut five consulates as critics fear China could fill diplomatic vacuum 05. August 2026 (21:20) State department informs Congress of planned closures in Canada, Grenada, Japan, Indonesia and CameroonThe US state department is to shut five foreign consulates and missions across Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean, drawing criticism that it is leaving a diplomatic vacuum at risk of being filled by China.The US Congress has been served notice of the impending closures, which are being justified on cost grounds and follow a reassessment of the US’s bilateral relationships with a range of countries since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge signals Trump’s defamation lawsuit against Wall Street Journal may be dismissed again 05. August 2026 (20:37) Obama-appointed judge seemed unmoved by Trump attorneys’ arguments in case also naming MurdochA federal judge in Florida seemed skeptical of arguments from Donald Trump’s legal team on Wednesday over whether the court should allow a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal to move forward.Trump sued the Journal and the News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch over a July 2025 article about a “bawdy” letter reportedly from Trump that was included in a 2003 birthday book for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has denied authoring or signing the letter, and his attorneys have argued that the Journal published the story despite having been told it was false. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge announces investigation into professor accused of plagiarism 05. August 2026 (20:16) University says it has ‘new information’ about academic career of Jason Arday, the youngest black professor in its historyJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, is to face investigation by the university after what it called “new information” regarding his qualifications and career.Cambridge initially defended Arday – the youngest black professor appointed in the university’s history, with a compelling life story of educational disadvantage – as “the victim of a vile campaign”. But as questions mounted over Arday’s own claims, the university’s leaders felt that Cambridge’s reputation was in danger. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York City transit auctions off last MetroCard machines: ‘Wild home decor idea’ 05. August 2026 (20:04) MTA to sell remaining machines – which weigh up to 1,050lbs – as it transitions to contactless fare systemThe Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City has begun auctioning off its final MetroCard vending machines, offering New Yorkers the chance to own one of the transit system’s most recognizable fixtures as the agency continues its transition to Omny.The auction opened on Wednesday morning and will run through 19 August, according to the MTA. The agency is offering a limited number of retired MetroCard Vending Machines (MVM) and MetroCard Express Machines (MEM), which have served subway riders for decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top Democrats set aside qualms and embrace progressive Abdul El-Sayed 05. August 2026 (20:01) Democrats ‘united by a common purpose: putting a check on Trump’, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sayAbdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primaryWhat we learned from midterm primary electionsLeading Democrats quickly papered over whatever qualms they had about progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed after his win in the Michigan Senate primary was confirmed on Wednesday, instead welcoming the former public health official as their champion against the Republican nominee, Mike Rogers.The state is now key to Democrats’s hopes of retaking control of the chamber in November’s midterm elections. Winning in Michigan would put them on the path to snarling Donald Trump’s legislative agenda and blocking his judicial nominees for the final two years of his presidency, while defeat could undermine their prospects of gaining a majority in the chamber for years to come. Rogers lost a Senate race in Michigan two years ago by a slim margin to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
