Taylor demands Albanese repeal ‘cruel tax’ in return for NDIS bill support 17. August 2026 (12:51) Coalition leader tells Anthony Albanese that delaying change to budget measure is ‘unconscionable’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngus Taylor says the Coalition will only support the Albanese government’s proposed overhaul of the NDIS if it first removes the “widow tax” loophole from its changes to taxing investment properties.The warning comes as the Albanese government hopes to land a deal with the opposition this week in order to pass the bill in the Senate after the Greens ruled out supporting changes to the scheme that are expected to boost the federal budget’s bottom line by $37.8bn over four years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior Russian banker fired after scathing speech on wartime economy 17. August 2026 (12:29) Andrei Klepach of VEB said Russia’s economy was falling behind China, US and ‘in some respects Ukraine’Europe live – latest updatesThe chief economist at Russia’s second-largest bank has been fired after a series of critical comments about the state of the economy, including warnings that Moscow would not win a prolonged economic war with Ukraine.Andrei Klepach, who had served in the role at the state-controlled development bank VEB since 2014, was fired days after Russian media reported on a scathing speech he had delivered to fellow economists in May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rhossi, a rare sea turtle, recovers after 5,000-mile trek from Wales to Texas 17. August 2026 (12:00) Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, near death on Welsh beach in 2023, is thriving in Houston despite lingering pneumoniaA Kemp’s ridley sea turtle native to the Gulf of Mexico is largely thriving after he was found nearly dead on a beach in Wales in late 2023, nursed back to health and then flown to Houston recently to continue recovering – though scans revealed signs that the creature has been grappling with lingering pneumonia, according to his caretakers.Rhossi’s condition was detailed in a blogpost on Friday from the Houston zoo, whose veterinary team was tasked with caring for the creature – believed to be no older than age four – and giving him the best chance possible at an eventual, successful return to the wild. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgium tackles enormous wildfire as French PM booed on visit to affected region – Europe live 17. August 2026 (11:48) Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuationsMeanwhile, the head of the Belgian firefighters, Marc Gilbert, told Belgian media that the country needed more resources to be ready to fight major fires.In comments reported by VRT and Nieuwsblad, he called for urgent recruitment to the service and for greater integration of firefighting fleet across the EU. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Housebuilding near train stations to get ‘default yes’ under new planning changes – UK politics live 17. August 2026 (11:46) Thousands more houses could be built near transport hubs including on green belt sitesLoosening of planning rules in England to allow more new homes near stationsThe shadow housing secretary, James Cleverly, has told Sky News that the loosening of planning rules in England – that will allow more new homes to be built near stations – are a “smokescreen to disguise the fact that they (Labour) have catastrophically failed to get stuff built”.Cleverly said “housebuilding in the UK has collapsed” in part because Labour made the process “prohibitively expensive”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Temperatures to fall across Europe as substantial rain heading for parts of UK 17. August 2026 (11:37) Temperatures could drop by more than 15C compared with last Thursday as cold front moves arrives from MondayRelief from the unrelenting heat is finally arriving this week across western Europe, with more unsettled conditions bringing the chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to fall back towards the seasonal norm, with some parts of the UK even falling about 3C below normal by Thursday. After such a scorching summer, and with a temperature drop of more than 15C compared with last Thursday’s heat, it may feel surprisingly chilly.There are signs that some substantial rain could be on the cards for the south of the UK this week as a cold front moves in from the Atlantic on Monday night into Tuesday. As of Monday, parts of southern England had endured 62 consecutive days of no rainfall – this is observed at a Met Office weather station in Wisley, Surrey. Even the last recorded rainfall here on 16 June amounted to just 0.4mm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly 17. August 2026 (11:15) Operator wins track access approval for up to 20 daily return trains through tunnel to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030Business live – latest updatesVirgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, in a step forward for its plans to break’s Eurostar’s passenger monopoly on the cross-Channel route.The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it had granted approval for Sir Richard Branson’s company to run up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel tunnel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff 17. August 2026 (11:05) PM was in contact with unknown person pretending to be senior White House aide Susie Wiles, it is understoodAndy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the Guardian understands.The prime minister was in contact with an unknown individual pretending to be the senior White House aide Susie Wiles before concerns were raised about the incident. No messages of significance were sent and the suspicious activity was quickly reported to the appropriate authorities, it is understood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Massive Attack and Paris Paloma join musicians urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling 17. August 2026 (11:00) Brian Eno and Olly Alexander also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityBusiness live – latest updatesMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be exported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon warns UK chancellor not to hike taxes on banks 17. August 2026 (10:33) Billionaire CEO of world’s biggest bank says any windfall tax on sector’s bumper profits could harm jobs in CityBusiness live – latest updatesJamie Dimon, the boss of the US bank JP Morgan, has urged John Healey not to use his first budget as chancellor to increase taxes on banks’ bumper profits.Speculation has been growing that a windfall tax could be imposed on UK lenders to fund Andy Burnham’s cost of living agenda, with campaigners estimating such a move could raise £19bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
