US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Lindsey Graham 07. August 2026 (20:46) Late senator spent final days of his life working to advance bill that will now head to the House after 86-11 Senate voteBy a large, bipartisan margin, the US Senate on Friday approved a bill intended to punish Russia and countries that buy its petroleum exports over the invasion of Ukraine, capping a legislative push that was spurred by the death of its champion, the Republican senator Lindsey Graham.The measure, renamed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act in honor of the late senator’s work on the issue, was approved by an 86-11 vote. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole Republican to oppose the legislation, together with 10 Democrats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California woman who admitted to stabbing wife had also killed husband 07. August 2026 (20:36) Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, who served a decade for killing her husband, pleaded guilty to murder of Rebecca Marodi, a fire captain who fought the Eaton blaze A California woman this week admitted to killing her wife, a decorated fire captain who fought the deadly 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, by stabbing her – the same fate she previously delivered to her husband and had served a decade in prison for.Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, 54, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to second-degree murder after killing her wife, Rebecca “Becky” Marodi, 49, a California fire captain, at their home in February 2025, just a month after Becky, as she was known, battled the Eaton blaze that killed 19. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge approves Trump effort to end South Sudan TPS protections 07. August 2026 (20:34) Decision follows supreme court ruling that allowed US government to strip protections for Haitians and SyriansTemporary protected status (TPS) for hundreds of South Sudanese nationals in the United States is set to end after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can move forward with stripping their protections.On Friday, US district judge Patti Saris of the district of Massachusetts rejected an attempt by immigrant rights organizations including the New York-based African Communities Together to keep TPS for South Sudanese nationals living in the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Millions in England face longer waits for mental health care as NHS providers plan cuts 07. August 2026 (20:00) Exclusive: Seven in 10 survey respondents expect services to be reduced or shut, while more than half anticipate job lossesMillions of adults and children in England face being forced to wait longer for mental health care, with more than two-thirds of NHS providers planning to cut services and half expected to axe jobs, the Guardian can reveal.With mental health services already under extraordinary pressure amid soaring demand for support, experts warned the proposed cuts – drawn up by trusts to plug holes in their finances – would also have “significant” consequences for the wider NHS, the economy and public services. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French officers halted small boats at sea 10 times since spring 07. August 2026 (19:46) Disclosure challenges Conservative and Reform claims that police are refusing to interveneThe French authorities have halted small boats at sea in the Channel on 10 occasions since the spring, officials said on Friday.Despite claims from the Conservatives and Reform that the French were refusing to intervene in small boat crossings, maritime prefect officers were using “intervention tactics” to board or control vessels at sea and take asylum seekers back to France. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Businessman was ‘preparing champagne’ to celebrate Caruana Galizia murder, court hears 07. August 2026 (19:40) Taxi driver says he acted as middleman between Yorgen Fenech and three men already convicted of €150,000 contract killingThe businessman accused of paying for hitmen to murder the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was impatient for the killing to take place, and once texted from his boat to say he was “preparing champagne” to celebrate, a jury in Malta has heard.Yorgen Fenech, the 44-year-old heir to a property empire that includes several Hilton hotels, is on trial in Malta for complicity in the murder of Caruana Galizia. She died in a car bombing in October 2017 after publishing a series of revelations about senior politicians that were so damaging they triggered a snap general election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge academics reject university’s attempt to end row over Jason Arday 07. August 2026 (18:49) Group calls for ‘thorough and transparent investigation’ of hiring of professor who resigned after his claims came under scrutinyThe University of Cambridge has announced a review into the way it vets and hires senior academic staff in an effort to fend off external and internal criticism of its appointment of Jason Arday as a professor.But a group of Cambridge academics quickly rejected the university’s response, saying: “We strongly believe that a thorough and transparent investigation into the wider circumstances of this damaging episode is essential.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police and prosecution errors left proven sex offender free to murder two women in London 07. August 2026 (17:41) Delays to sexual assault charges and failures to report past convictions in court hearings gave Simon Levy chance to attack more women• Violence against women: has anything changed in policing since Sarah Everard’s killing?Catastrophic errors left a persistent and proven sex offender free before he murdered two women in London, it can be revealed.On Friday, an Old Bailey jury found Simon Levy, 40, guilty of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins five months later. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kemi Badenoch’s weird week: defence of ex-neo-Nazi raises questions over Tory direction 07. August 2026 (17:36) Some in party are delighted by leader’s tack rightwards but opponents have savoured latest Conservative controversyThere was a moment in the middle of this week when a news alert raised eyebrows among the politically committed. It read: “Kemi Badenoch: Former neo-Nazi candidate would just be sorting out bins.” It was a collection of words that might prompt palpitations in the most sanguine of communications professionals, followed by panicked advice that retreat was necessary. But as a deeply weird week for the Conservative party came to a close on Friday, its leader appeared adamant she would hold the line.With Badenoch accused of aping Reform UK on policy and purging centrists from her party in recent weeks, her decision to stand by a man who was jailed after creating sexualised images of a Jewish MP and calling her a “rodent” has prompted concerns about the leader of the opposition’s political antennae and the Tories’ wider strategy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s attorney general pick Todd Blanche appears to clear last hurdle for confirmation 07. August 2026 (17:18) Bill Cassidy, Republican who had been seen as a decisive holdout, announced that he is prepared to back BlancheUS politics live – latest updatesBill Cassidy, the US Republican senator seen as the decisive holdout on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, announced on Friday that he will support the pick, setting the stage for a major win for Donald Trump.Confirmation that Cassidy, of Louisiana, is prepared to back Blanche – Trump’s former personal lawyer, and a loyal ally of the president – appeared to clear the last hurdle of his confirmation process, which had been challenged by the defections of the Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
