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)
US representative Marcy Kaptur taken to hospital after car crash 02. August 2026 (22:20) Toledo police say Ohio Democrat is active and alert after two-vehicle hit-and-run collision on SundayMarcy Kaptur is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after a car crash in Toledo, Ohio, on Sunday, the Democratic US representative’s office said.Kaptur, 80, was a passenger in the vehicle and on her way to church, her office said. Toledo police did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RFK Jr tells US families to vaccinate children against measles amid outbreak 02. August 2026 (20:28) Health secretary, longtime vaccination skeptic, spent years boosting misinformation about vaccines including MMRRobert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, on Sunday told American parents that they should get their children vaccinated against measles, as the surge in infections has reached numbers not seen in the past 35 years.Kennedy, a leading vaccination skeptic who has spent years amplifying misinformation about vaccines, including the shot that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), made his call in the course of a contentious interview with CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham to be ‘relentless’ on small boat crossings after Ceuta crisis 02. August 2026 (20:16) Prime minister says UK needs to ‘bring back that control’ and safe routes for refugees are necessary to tackle traffickingAndy Burnham has pledged to be “relentless” in tackling small boat crossings after tens of thousands of migrants entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta, and he said “safe routes” for refugees were necessary to tackle trafficking gangs.Speaking during a visit to Dover, the prime minister said he had been assured by the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, that approximately 98% of the estimated 50,000 people who entered Spain’s north African territory of Ceuta last week had now been returned to Morocco. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican calls for Max Miller to resign from Congress amid abuse allegations 02. August 2026 (20:09) Senator Bernie Moreno says congressman and former son-in-law should step down after ex-wife’s allegationsRepublican senator Bernie Moreno on Sunday publicly called for Representative Max Miller, his ex son-in-law, to step down from Congress amid allegations of domestic and child abuse.As recently as Friday, the Ohio senator had avoided giving his opinion directly on accusations made by his daughter, Emily Moreno, against the congressman. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
