South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills 18. August 2026 (07:50) Lee Jae Myung reiterates desire for full command back in Seoul’s hands after Donald Trump cuts joint exercises, citing warm ties with Kim Jong-un‘Inane, haphazard decision’ by Trump to gut South Korea allianceSouth Korea’s president has renewed his push to regain independent control of the military from the US in the event of war and urged faster progress in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines after Donald Trump’s order to cut joint drills.On Sunday night, Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” this week’s joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nuclear-armed North “has been unthreatening and respectful” and that the US president had a “very good relationship with Kim Jong-un”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alleged victim tells Alan Jones’s barrister he was ‘groomed for 10 years’ and to ‘get real’ during combative cross-examination 18. August 2026 (07:15) Former broadcaster has pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges in relation to six menFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlan Jones allegedly groomed a junior staffer at 2GB for a decade, resulting in the young man sending multiple explicit texts to the broadcaster, a Sydney court has heard.As a young man, Complainant C was a driver for the 2GB star broadcaster when Jones allegedly touched his penis and kissed him, C has told Downing Centre local court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Half of homes in Great Britain taking longer to sell than last year amid mortgage volatility 18. August 2026 (07:00) Many buyers wait in hope of better deal, although there are hotspots in Scotland and northern EnglandHalf of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to “wait and see” if they can get a better deal, according to a report.As the Middle East conflict continues to unfold, the property platform Zoopla said homes in 180 out of 363 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales were taking longer to sell compared with a year ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 109 BHP workers sexually harassed colleagues in a single year, mining company says 18. August 2026 (06:46) Further 104 allegations not investigated due to ‘insufficient information or the wishes of the impacted person’, according to annual reportFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 100 workers at BHP lost their jobs, or resigned, during the last financial year after sexually harassing colleagues, which included numerous instances of indecent touching, stalking and grooming.The harassment cases, disclosed in the mining giant’s annual report on Tuesday, come during a period of heightened scrutiny of remote work sites, where female workers across the industry have raised allegations of systemic sexual harassment, violence and retaliation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White House launches personal attack on CNN reporter over question to Trump 18. August 2026 (04:04) CNN says attack ‘beneath the office’ after Kristen Holmes asked president about Jon Ossoff’s comments on key aideThe White House launched a personal attack against a CNN reporter on Monday with a social media post that mentioned her children and accused her of asking a “disgusting and inhumane question”.A White House post targeted Kristen Holmes, a senior White House correspondent for the network, after she asked Donald Trump to respond to a widely shared comment by Democratic senator Jon Ossoff in a speech on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump reportedly casts mail-in ballot in Florida Republican primary 18. August 2026 (03:10) President, who has decried mail-in ballots amid false claims of election fraud, issued March order to curb voting by mailDonald Trump voted by mail in Florida’s Republican primary, Politico reports, citing Palm Beach county voting records. The White House has confirmed the president’s mail-in vote, according to the New York Times, which added that this is at least the third time the president has mailed his ballot.In March, the president signed an executive order restricting the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the November midterm elections that will decide control of US Congress. Trump has repeatedly criticized mail-in voting, calling for restrictions on the policy for years and falsely claiming that his 2020 election defeat was the result of widespread voter fraud. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bondi library removes book How to Sell a Genocide from shelves after complaint 18. August 2026 (02:55) Author Adam Johnson criticises Waverley council saying ‘reality is often upsetting’ while Palestinian group says libraries should hold ‘challenging’ booksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Sydney library has removed a book critical of Israel called How to Sell a Genocide, following a complaint reportedly from a survivor of the Bondi beach terror attack.Waverley library at Bondi Junction is in the same council area as Bondi beach. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Torrential rains kill one in South Korea while Philippine capital battles major flooding 18. August 2026 (02:37) More than 800mm of rain was recorded in the South Korean city of Geoje, which triggered a landslide that killed one person Torrential downpours that have pounded southern parts of South Korea have killed one person and injured four others, officials have confirmed.Heavy rains have been recorded in South Gyeongsang province, including the city of Geoje, where the 800-mm deluge triggered a landslide, the interior and safety ministry said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump tells 10-year-old rescued by teen lifeguard: ‘I don’t know if I’d do it’ 18. August 2026 (01:09) President hosts Nathanial Rai and lifeguard Ryder Williams at White House after video of California rescue went viral Nathanial Rai had been swept off his feet along the California coast, was rescued by a 16-year-old lifeguard – and was now sitting in the Oval Office with Donald Trump.Of the rescuer, Ryder Williams, Trump said to Nathanial: “He’s a real hero. I don’t know if I’d do it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney Swans coach ‘extremely disappointed’ as club faces call on standing down players over alleged sexual assault 18. August 2026 (00:56) Victoria police investigating allegation of sexual assault in the early hours of Monday morning at a Melbourne hotelFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Sydney Swans coach, Dean Cox, says he is “extremely disappointed” as the team and the AFL face a decision on whether to stand down several Swans players under investigation over an alleged sexual assault.Victoria police attended the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne on Monday and said they were investigating a report of sexual assault in the early hours of the morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
