Netanyahu and Kushner talks make no breakthrough on stalled Gaza deal 17. August 2026 (18:42) Israeli PM again insists troops will not withdraw from strip until Hamas first disarms, but calls meeting constructiveBenjamin Netanyahu has told Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner there can be no progress on the stalled Gaza ceasefire deal or an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal strip until Hamas first disarms.An Israeli official said there had been no breakthrough in the meeting between the pair, saying Netanyahu had made it clear the IDF would not withdraw and would continue to carry out operations in Gaza. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jon Ossoff calls Trump’s handling of Iran war ‘uniquely despicable’ in excoriating speech 17. August 2026 (18:31) Georgia Democratic senator has stoked speculation for 2028 presidency bid by delivering stinging attacks on TrumpDemocratic senator Jon Ossoff has attacked Donald Trump’s “uniquely despicable” handling of the US-Israel war on Iran, accusing the US president of “re-rigging” a corrupt system for himself in an excoriating speech.Ossoff, who is running for re-election in Georgia in November, has repeatedly stoked speculation that he is laying the ground for a bid for the US presidency in 2028 by delivering a series of stinging attacks on Trump and his administration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European farmers face ‘unprecedented crisis’ after successive heatwaves 17. August 2026 (18:01) Vegetable and grain growers call for urgent action, warning of ‘catastrophic’ harvests due to continent-wide droughtSuccessive intense heatwaves and an increasingly severe, continent-wide drought have left many of Europe’s farmers in an “unprecedented” crisis, with vegetable and grain growers in particular warning of “catastrophic” harvests.French vegetable production is down by “a very significant extent” compared with previous years, French growers have said, with shortfalls put at 25% for courgettes, 35% for lettuces, 40% for peas, 60% for broccoli and 50% to 100% for artichokes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can Trump’s peace plan for Gaza be saved? – The Latest 17. August 2026 (17:56) Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an attempt to salvage a ceasefire in Gaza.The talks come after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point peace plan for the territory in a rare public break with the Trump administration this month.Nosheen Iqbal speaks to global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s economy showing signs that slowdown may be extending 17. August 2026 (17:36) Industrial output and retail sales slump in July after one of the country’s weakest quarterly growth rates everChina’s economy is showing signs of extending a slowdown with a slump in industrial output and retail sales in July, adding to pressure on Beijing to intervene with measures to support activity.After the world’s second largest economy posted one of its lowest quarterly growth readings on record in the three months to June, the latest figures suggest it continued to falter in July. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US supreme court again rejects Trump’s bid to overturn E Jean Carroll verdict 17. August 2026 (17:35) Decision leaves intact $5m civil judgment against Trump after jury found him liable for sexually abusing writerThe US supreme court has once again declined to consider Donald Trump’s appeal of a jury verdict in 2023 that found him liable for sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll, and later defaming her.The court announced the decision in an unsigned order on Monday, without providing an explanation of their decision. The order just listed the US president’s petition, along with several other petitions, under “rehearings denied”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘She never forgot where she came from’: Bonnie Tyler mourners turn out for Swansea service 17. August 2026 (17:28) Many in the crowd watching on screen outside minster have stories of meeting or knowing singer, who died in JulyBonnie Tyler’s songs have echoed through her home town of Swansea in recent days in memory of the late singer, but on Monday the church bells stopped and wellwishers lining the streets fell silent as her coffin arrived for a service celebrating her life.As the white coffin, covered in bouquets of white roses, was carried into the minster, shouts of “God bless you Bonnie” and “bye Bonnie” punctured the quiet. Those gathered to pay their respects burst into applause. Tyler’s If I Sing You a Love Song and It’s a Heartache played before the private service began, which mourners outside watched on a screen in nearby St David’s Square. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top Democrat slams Trump’s ‘inane, haphazard’ cuts to US-South Korea drills – live 17. August 2026 (17:21) Senator Jack Reed slammed ‘another inane, haphazard decision’ after Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back military drills with South Korea aimed at deterring North KoreaSign up for the Breaking News US emailRepublican senator Thom Tillis deplored Trump’s decision to cut US military drills with South Korea, which comes despite military officials from both countries warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime is learning new battlefield expertise, including new drone tactics, from assisting Russia with its war in Ukraine.Tillis wrote on X:South Korea has been a solid military ally for over 70 years that possesses exquisite military capabilities. Reducing joint exercises with South Korea does nothing more than free up thousands of North Korea’s troops to support Putin’s systematic kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder of innocent Ukrainian citizens. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leading economies’ borrowing costs hit highest since 2008 crisis 17. August 2026 (17:13) Concern over impact of Iran war pushes up government bond yields in US, UK, France, Germany and JapanGovernment borrowing costs in several advanced economies hit their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, or even earlier, on Monday as investors feared the Middle East crisis would keep inflation persistently high.Concerns over rising prices and government spending pushed up the cost of debt issued by Paris, Berlin, Washington DC, Tokyo and London as investors fretted that rising prices would push up interest rates. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
3M knew for more than 50 years that its products could harm humans, Australian government alleges in court documents 17. August 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: federal government court filings claim internal company documents included warnings about products being toxicGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastManufacturing company 3M knew more than 50 years ago that its firefighting products – including components in Pfas “forever chemicals” – could be hazardous to the health of humans and animals and damage the environment, the federal government has claimed in court documents.In filings as part of its $2bn lawsuit against the multinational company, commonwealth lawyers said products sold to Australia were known to stay present in water and soil, were persistent in the human body and in animals, and contributed to conditions including reduced kidney function, alterations in immune function, effects on fertility and puberty and lower birth weight in babies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
