Iran’s new security chief says neighbours who join US economic war will be considered ‘enemies’ 23. August 2026 (05:34) Hardliner Mohsen Rezaei also threatens American economic interests in first interview since appointment to supreme national security councilThe new leader of Iran’s top security body has warned its neighbours against joining new US efforts to squeeze Tehran’s economy, and threatened US commercial interests in the region, as Donald Trump doubled down on his fanciful view that the strait of Hormuz was a new US territory.Mohsen Rezaei, the hardline new leader of Iran’s supreme national security council, told state television that Iran would target oil-shipping routes out the Gulf – alternatives to the strait of Hormuz – if its neighbours joined what he called the “economic war” waged by the US. Those neighbours would be “considered an enemy” and “we will target their interests”, he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation MP concedes party’s migration target ‘not too different’ from Labor’s once rural workforce included 23. August 2026 (05:12) David Farley says party wants 100,000 migrant rural workers in addition to the 130,000 migration target it considers the ‘true’ numberFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation MP David Farley has conceded the minor party’s net migration target is “not too different” to Labor’s, echoing an earlier claim over which he was counselled by his party leader, Pauline Hanson.Appearing on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning, Farley argued skilled workers and backpackers were critical to keeping Australia fed, and argued they should be considered as a separate category to migration “in its true form”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney Marathon admits ‘unfortunate error’ as finisher’s medal depicts Munich stadium as race highlight 23. August 2026 (04:14) ‘Landmarks’ side of the medal features the Allianz Arena in German city rather than Allianz Stadium in SydneyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn a week’s time, the proud runners finishing the Sydney Marathon will receive a medal showing the landmarks they have just sped past – plus one they definitely didn’t.In what organisers have admitted was an “unfortunate error”, a stadium in Munich, Germany, was erroneously etched on to the event’s participation medal instead of a local Sydney landmark. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fur seal’s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain 23. August 2026 (02:42) Seal found dead at Beachport in South Australia presages ‘significant losses’, minister warnsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA long-nosed fur seal has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, marking the first confirmed case in a mammal on the Australian mainland.
The seal was found dead at Beachport on Wednesday on the state’s Limestone Coast.
It marks a fresh escalation in the spread of the virus days after the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, announced three mass mortality events on offshore islands involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns.The federal agriculture minister, Julie Collins, said the seal death was “not unexpected” as the virus begins to spread through the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heathrow expansion ‘is threat to England’s largest surviving medieval barn’ 23. August 2026 (02:00) Exclusive: campaigners warn 600-year-old New Barn at Harmondsworth could be ‘shaken to pieces’ by vibrationsSix hundred years after it was built, England’s largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn could now be “shaken to pieces” by aircraft vibrations, campaigners warn.The public has until 1 September to submit objections to the Heathrow airport expansion, which could threaten the survival of the New Barn at Harmondsworth, considered a remarkable example of medieval architecture. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tropical Storm Moke poised to slam into Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala 22. August 2026 (23:52) Weather service warns of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas strongly affected by previous stormTropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the south of Hawaii’s islands with forecasters predicting heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday evening, just days after the region was devastated by Hurricane Lala.The tropical storm is gathering strength as it advances west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Meghan’s casting in The Gentlemen reportedly withdrawn 22. August 2026 (23:23) Duchess of Sussex was believed to have been under consideration for season three of Guy Ritchie’s crime caperThe Duchess of Sussex’s reported casting in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen has been withdrawn, it was reported.Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, wrote on Saturday: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former US senator from Kansas, dies aged 94 22. August 2026 (22:40) Kassebaum Baker became the first woman elected to the US Senate without following a spouse into officeNancy Kassebaum Baker, a Kansas governor’s daughter who became the first woman elected to the US Senate without following a spouse into office, has died. She was 94.Kassebaum Baker died on Friday of natural causes, according to her son, Bill Kassebaum. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Seventeen-year-old girl killed in sword attack at school in Sweden 22. August 2026 (20:11) Three other people wounded after 18-year-old man wielding sword assail students in Fagersta schoolA 17-year-old girl has been killed after a teenager brandishing a sword attacked students at a school in Sweden, police have confirmed.Three other people were wounded in the incident during classes in the central town of Fagersta on Friday afternoon, including two boys aged 12 and 17 who sustained minor injuries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’ 22. August 2026 (18:08) Tory leader rules out coalition with Farage’s party and says ‘drama queens’ who left will not be welcomed backKemi Badenoch has called defectors who left for Reform “some of the most dishonest people” she has ever met, as she ruled out allowing “drama queens” to return to the party.Speaking at the Edinburgh festival fringe, the Conservative party leader again ruled out any prospect of an election deal with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, insisting there would be no coalition between the parties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
