David Brat bound for Australia as diplomat confirmed as next US ambassador 08. August 2026 (01:50) Former Republican state congressman, who once argued Christianity and capitalism should merge, confirmed by US Senate to fill long-vacant roleGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer Virginia congressman David Brat has been confirmed by the US Senate to be the next US ambassador to Australia, after the role had been left vacant for 18 months.Brat’s confirmation was among more than 70 votes pushed through the Senate by Republicans on Friday, Washington time, before the summer recess. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wasted medicine in England could fill 75 swimming pools a year, pharmacy group says 08. August 2026 (01:01) Industry body calls for more regular reviews of repeat prescriptions to tackle ‘growing problem’The amount of wasted medicines thrown away in England in one year could fill 75 swimming pools, according to a pharmacy group.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimated that 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines were disposed of in England in 2024-25. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police investigating Ann Widdecombe murder reopen attempted burglary case from 2025 08. August 2026 (00:58) Watchdog examines alleged failure to pursue a line of inquiry ‘which may have been relevant’Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe say they have reopened an old investigation into an attempted burglary last year.The incident at an address in Greater London was reported in April 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain to introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy 07. August 2026 (23:44) Move comes in response to Rome imposing similar measures after mass migration rush to CeutaSpain has announced it will introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass rush of people from Morocco into Ceuta.The checks, which come “amid the persistent irregular migration pressure” facing Italy, will start at midnight on Saturday and last until 7 September, Spain’s interior ministry said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Idaho police release video of In-N-Out Burger mass shooting that killed three 07. August 2026 (23:41) Officials praise unarmed employee from nearby store for engaging 24-year-old gunman who later killed himself Police released video on Friday of a mass shooting that killed three people at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger restaurant last weekend, and praised an unarmed employee from a nearby store who engaged the gunman outdoors, slowing him down and possibly preventing more deaths as authorities were catching up.The video released by the police also showed at least three people confronted the gunman with their own weapons during the incident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prosecutor fired over blogposts critical of Trump sues US justice department 07. August 2026 (23:24) Will Rosenzweig’s defunct blog was publicized online by conservative pundit who tagged senior DoJ officialsA federal prosecutor fired last year over critical comments he had written as a private citizen about Donald Trump sued the justice department on Friday, saying his termination violated his first amendment rights.Will Rosenzweig was two weeks away from trying a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud case when a blog he had written years earlier covering a broad range of topics was publicized online by a conservative political commentator who also included a screenshot of Rosenzweig’s LinkedIn account and tagged senior justice department officials for their awareness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US police officer accused of killing three people in Mexico arrested at border 07. August 2026 (22:49) Chad Eberle of Texas charged over deadly shooting in Saltillo that officials say stemmed from custody disputeA Texas police officer has been arrested in Mexico after authorities there accused him of killing three people and critically injuring the mother of his child in what investigators say stemmed from a dispute over the custody of the minor.The Coahuila attorney general’s office said 35-year-old Chad Eberle was arrested on Wednesday at the border on a warrant accusing him of femicide and qualified homicide, according to La Razon de Mexico, a newspaper based in Mexico City. Under Mexican law, femicide refers to the intentional killing of a woman or girl because of her gender. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least one person dead in California wildfire allegedly sparked by chainsaw 07. August 2026 (21:25) Police arrested Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, in connection with the Gann fire, which has burned more than 15 sq miles in Calaveras countyAt least one person has died in a wildfire burning in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range that officials believed was sparked by a man using a chainsaw.Police arrested Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, in connection with the Gann fire, which has destroyed seven buildings, scorched more than 15 sq miles in Calaveras county and killed a well-known dog breeder in the town of Angels Camp. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thetford residents remain on edge after days of ‘mob rule’ over asylum plans 07. August 2026 (21:04) People voice frustration with officials’ failure to engage with community over placement of asylum seekers in areaA smashed window pane and some broken eggshells on a footpath were some of the tell-tale signs of events that took place this week on a residential street at the edge of Thetford.On Friday afternoon it was not hard to find local people with a sense of foreboding after the latest disorder in the Norfolk market town which has seen crowds attempt to break into properties believed to be housing asylum seekers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump renews bid to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook despite supreme court ruling 07. August 2026 (20:47) White House continues to target Cook despite decision from justices that upheld Federal Reserve’s independenceDonald Trump is attempting once again to oust US Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud, despite a recent US supreme court decision that upheld the central bank’s independence.Cook reportedly received a letter from the White House this week that provided notice, in accordance to the supreme court’s June ruling, that Trump is “considering removing” her from her Fed position over the same claims of mortgage fraud that he levied against her last summer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
