Australia news live: betting companies allegedly offered problem gamblers drugs to fuel addiction, Senate inquiry hears 03. August 2026 (02:44) Senate inquiry into Albanese government’s gambling laws under way. Follow today’s news liveAngus Taylor and Anthony Albanese on leave this weekThe opposition leader, Angus Taylor, is on leave for most of this week, his office has announced, with the deputy leader, Jane Hume, acting in his stead.NSWRL owes a massive debt of gratitude to Laurie for the service he has given to his state as both a player and a coach.He has also led NSW to arguably two of the greatest Origin series wins of all time as a coach, after ending Queensland’s eight-year winning streak in 2014 and overcoming adversity to steer the Blues home in 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Luke Bateman tells inquiry gambling companies supplied him with cocaine and alcohol 03. August 2026 (02:39) Former rugby league player turned TikTok influencer tells parliamentary inquiry his spiralling addiction to gambling cost him about $1mFormer rugby league star Luke Bateman has alleged gambling company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol, telling a parliamentary inquiry the betting industry exercised no duty of care.Bateman, who is now a TikTok star and influential in the “BookTok” community, told the inquiry on Monday morning he attended a private Gold Coast event hosted by a gambling company at which senior figures took illicit drugs with clients. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s first ‘super-university’, merging Greenwich and Kent, to launch in September 03. August 2026 (02:00) The new London and South East University Group will be UK’s third largest higher education institutionThe UK’s first “super-university”, which will merge the universities of Greenwich and Kent, is set to launch in September.The new London and South East University Group, to be known as the LASEUG, will have more than 50,000 students on four campuses across London, Medway and Kent, making it the third largest higher education institution in the UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Stop all outdoor activities’: South Korea records its highest ever temperature 03. August 2026 (01:54) Authorities issue alert saying indoor spaces without airconditioning are ‘dangerous’ as temperatures pass 40C for fifth straight day South Korea has registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago, as authorities warned people to “immediately” stop all outdoor activities in affected areas.The south-eastern city of Yangsan saw the temperature reach 42.5C on Sunday afternoon, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, the highest temperature reported since modern weather observation began in 1904. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eastern Washington fires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate 03. August 2026 (01:33) Wildfires in and around Spokane have stretched ability of federal and local agencies to fight blazesWildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said on Sunday.The fires in and around Spokane, the state’s second largest city, burned about 8.2 sq miles (about 21 sq km), but they were among dozens across the western US that stretched the ability of federal, state and local agencies to fight them. A total of about 390 sq miles have burned across the state, and some of the fires, including those in the Spokane area, have not been contained. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ariana Grande to take ‘a step back’ from public life due to ‘endless, ongoing scrutiny’ 03. August 2026 (01:23) Singer was due to reunite with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in London production of Sunday in the Park With GeorgeAriana Grande has announced plans to take a break from public-facing work after her tour ends due to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”. She is pulling out of the upcoming London revival of Sunday in the Park With George.The pop singer was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s critically acclaimed musical at the Barbican in 2027. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artists, writers and scientists urge UK government to save Jodrell Bank Observatory 03. August 2026 (01:01) New Order and Simon Armitage among more than 100 signatories to criticise ‘foolish and shortsighted’ cutsMore than 100 artists, writers and scientists have called for the UK government to save the “world’s clearest eyes on the sky”, after funding for thenetwork of radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory was slashed.New Order, the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, are among those calling on the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, to save the deep space observatory which includes the Grade I-listed Lovell telescope, prized by astronomers who study galaxies, star formation and planets beyond the solar system. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least five Mohamed Al Fayed abuse survivors confirmed as human-trafficking victims 03. August 2026 (01:01) Decision comes after group of survivors claimed ex-Harrods owner’s associates must have helped facilitate his crimesAt least five victims of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been confirmed by the Home Office as victims of human trafficking.A group of survivors of abuse by the deceased businessman had called for the Metropolitan police to make trafficking the main focus of its investigation, arguing that Fayed could not have committed his offences without a steady stream of women sent to him by associates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect in Idaho restaurant shooting died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say 03. August 2026 (00:27) Twin Falls police chief believes Chad Williams, 24, was alone in Saturday attack that killed three peopleAuthorities say the man accused of opening fire at a fast-food restaurant in Idaho is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as investigators say quick action by an off-duty law enforcement officer and an armed bystander helped prevent even more bloodshed.Speaking on Sunday, Matthew Hicks, the Twin Falls police chief, said investigators are confident 24-year-old Chad Williams carried out Saturday’s attack alone. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rupert Lowe urges Nigel Farage to work with Restore Britain 02. August 2026 (23:05) Lowe says the two should put ‘personalities and our past disagreements aside for good of the country’The leader of Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe, has extended an olive branch to Nigel Farage, saying the two should put “personalities and our past disagreements aside for the good of the country”.Lowe told the Reform UK leader that if he was “prepared to work together around serious policies, serious reform and serious government, then so are we”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
