England’s children’s commissioner says Prevent failing to help young people ‘fixated with violence’ 18. August 2026 (11:20) Report by Rachel de Souza finds 71% of children referred to UK anti-terror programme do not have a clear ideologyThe children’s commissioner for England has warned of a group of children “intoxicated by extremism” who need help the UK government’s anti-terror programme cannot provide.Referrals to Prevent – the programme designed to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised or drawn into extremism – involving children have risen in the past decade, from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virginia teacher and firefighters feud over whether a python started schoolhouse fire 18. August 2026 (11:00) Authorities blamed Nanner for knocking over a heat fixture, but Brittany Jacobs contends it was trying to escape blazeThe snake didn’t start the fire. So says a Virginia science teacher who owns a python that was found outside its enclosure in a middle school classroom that caught fire recently.Authorities, meanwhile, have publicly blamed the fire on the snake, named Nanner, alleging the python knocked over a heat fixture in her owner’s classroom, igniting a blaze that caused damage at Bedford county’s Forest middle school and killed a tortoise there. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top Democrats tussle in Florida primary but progressive liberalism not on menu 18. August 2026 (11:00) Politics that worked for Democratic candidates in New York, Minnesota, Michigan won’t cut it in red Florida, analysts sayIf primary elections elsewhere this summer were tussles between progressives and moderates for the direction of the Democratic party’s political future, Tuesday’s contests in Florida could not be more different.In a former swing state that has in recent years become reliably red, moderate Democratic candidates Alex Vindman and David Jolly are heavily favored to become the party’s nominees for November’s Senate and governor’s race, respectively. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia warns UK of ‘consequences’ over reports Ukraine using British drones in attacks 18. August 2026 (09:34) Ministry of Defence rebuffs threats, saying UK ‘committed to providing equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion’Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time.Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep-strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victoria moves to expand definition of ‘corruption’ before state election 18. August 2026 (09:25) Former Ibac head welcomes potential change that could capture actions that currently cannot be used to make corrupt findingsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Carroll has committed to changing the definition of “corruption” before the Victorian election in a move a former anti-corruption boss says could have captured the conduct of senior government figures had it been in place earlier.The Victorian premier announced on Tuesday said it was his intention to introduce the legislation – which will expand the jurisdiction of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) – before the government enters caretaker mode in November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman 18. August 2026 (09:04) Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrenderBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have risen again after the two-month window to negotiate a peace deal in the US-Israel war on Iran expired on Monday with no end to the conflict in sight.Iran said on Monday that it would take a more aggressive stance if talks with the US failed, while Donald Trump demanded Tehran “put up the white flag of surrender” in an interview with Fox News. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition MPs cross floor over ‘weak’ gambling crackdown as major parties strike deal 18. August 2026 (08:51) Labor’s bill to restrict gambling ads is set to pass this week, with the Greens calling the agreement ‘cowardly’Two Coalition MPs have crossed the floor after a deal between the major parties to pass Labor’s new restrictions on betting advertising and inducements, which the MPs say are too “weak” and place “too much faith in the hands of the gambling companies”.Anthony Albanese and the communications minister, Anika Wells, secured the support of the opposition to pass the bill, with amendments including tweaks to ad timing rules and some restrictions on inducements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK pay growth slows as Iran war prompts cost of living squeeze 18. August 2026 (08:34) Unemployment rate remained at 4.9% in the three months to the end of June, ONS figures showWage growth in the UK slowed in June as workers come under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war, official figures show.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show average growth in total earnings, including bonuses, fell to 4.1% in the three months to June, down from 4.3% in the three months to May. City economists had forecast a larger fall to 4%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Isles of Scilly named friendliest place in England – and Barking least friendly 18. August 2026 (08:00) Rankings based on community life survey put two Devon districts in top five and Stoke and Ipswich near bottomThe Isles of Scilly have been named as the friendliest place in England as part of a major study into social division across Britain.All 296 local authority areas have been ranked in a new index using government data from the community life survey, measuring how often people chat to neighbours, feelings of loneliness and belonging, local pride, and levels of participation in civic life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham urged to intervene over ‘zero-hours’ custody officers in private prison 18. August 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Prison officers’ union strongly opposes HMP Millsike offering flexible work escorting prisoners amid staff shortagesAndy Burnham is under pressure to intervene in a privately run prison that is seeking to recruit custody officers on zero-hours contracts for the first time across England and Wales’ prison estate.Managers at HMP Millsike, a category C prison for 1,500 prisoners near York operated by the outsourcing company Mitie, have signed off online adverts for £25-an-hour prisoner escort roles “on a flexible, task-based basis”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
