Israel’s Ben-Gvir posts video of gallows site for hanging Palestinians 20. August 2026 (14:34) Far-right minister says those convicted in military courts of terror offences will be executed after passing of death penalty law that does not apply to IsraelisIsrael’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has attracted international sanctions and condemnation for his activities, has posted a gloating video of the construction of the site of a gallows where Palestinians convicted of terror offences, but not Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes, will be hanged.Ben-Givr said the new execution site would be equipped with viewing booths where families of victims could watch the hangings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Harry and Meghan’s security funding on UK return is private matter, Burnham says 20. August 2026 (14:30) Prime minister wishes couple well in their move back from the US to a non-royal residence outside London• Harry and Meghan: key moments and controversies since US moveSecurity funding for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they return to live in the UK this month is a “private matter”, Andy Burnham has said.News of Harry and Meghan’s planned return to Britain from the US came as a surprise to many on Wednesday night; King Charles was only informed three days earlier. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘You have got to go’: former NSW minister tells Icac ‘something strange at play’ when she was sacked by Perrottet 20. August 2026 (14:21) Eleni Petinos tells inquiry her sacking as a minister in Dominic Perrottet’s government was potentially motivated by her reluctance to get rid of the building commissionerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former New South Wales fair trading minister Eleni Petinos has given evidence at a corruption inquiry that she may have been used by fellow Liberals to try to get rid of the building commissioner David Chandler, recounting numerous attempts in 2022 to persuade her he was “dodgy” and should be sacked.She has also told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) inquiry that her subsequent sacking as a minister in the Dominic Perrottet government in July 2022 – allegedly for bullying staff – was unfair and potentially motivated by her reluctance to sack the building commissioner. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Founder of China’s Evergrande jailed for life after pleading guilty to fraud 20. August 2026 (14:03) Hui Ka Yan also forfeits all his personal property and the company he set up is given hefty finesBusiness live – latest updatesThe founder of Evergrande, one of China’s largest property developers, has been sentenced to life in prison and had all of his personal property confiscated.Hui Ka Yan, 67 and once named by Forbes as China’s richest man, with a net worth of $42.5bn (£31.2bn) in 2017, pleaded guilty in April to eight charges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Como mayor bans bikes in city centre after being hit ‘by one of these beasts’ 20. August 2026 (13:45) Alessandro Rapinese denies he is waging personal vendetta against cyclists amid a public backlashThe mayor of Como has set the wheels of controversy in motion for banning bikes in the walled historical centre of the lakeside city after being hit by one.Alessandro Rapinese’s ban, which comes into force in September, targets about 30 streets and means cyclists, whether on e-bikes or push bikes, will have to dismount and walk through those areas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Korea fires 10 missiles day after Trump curtails South Korea joint drills 20. August 2026 (12:25) Launches, detected by South Korea and Japan, came after US scaled back exercises with South Korea in apparent overture to Kim Jong-unNorth Korea has launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea, South Korea’s military said, a day after Pyongyang shrugged off Donald Trump’s order to scale back US military drills with South Korea in an apparent attempt to resume diplomacy.The joint chiefs of staff said the missiles were launched from the region of Pyongyang at around 5pm (08.00 GMT) on Thursday towards North Korea’s eastern waters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
From ‘elation’ to ‘terrible news’ in 10 minutes: how the confusion over missing bushwalker Lily Hooper unfolded 20. August 2026 (11:51) The 18-year-old’s body was found in Nattai national park on Thursday – but initial police messages indicated she had been found alivePolice have blamed dense bushland and radio confusion for wrongly reporting to 18-year-old Lily Hooper’s parents, the New South Wales premier and the media that the missing bushwalker had been found alive.Hooper had last been seen on 12 August after leaving home for a hike in the rugged bushland of Nattai national park, 90km south-west of Sydney. She was reported missing that night, triggering a multi-agency search involving nearly 1,000 people, including hundreds of volunteers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia launches ‘massive attack’ on Kyiv and surrounding region – Europe live 20. August 2026 (11:47) Ukraine faces ‘terror that is only growing’ from Russia, former army chief saysThe death toll from the overnight Russian attack on Kyiv has gone up to 15, Kyiv authorities said.39 people were injured.“Civilians were killed again, dozens were injured. Pain, loss and destruction. Terror that is only growing. Ukraine needs protection. Not words, but concrete help from partners. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham announces plans to clean up illegal waste dumps – UK politics live 20. August 2026 (11:25) The prime minister has promised a crackdown on criminal gangs making money from dumping waste A former archbishop of Canterbury has accused Nigel Farage of misusing the UK’s Christianity “to channel anti-Muslim feeling” and said he also had “some awkward questions” for the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.Dr Rowan Williams, who was the archbishop of Canterbury for 10 years until 2012, said there was an “inevitable scepticism these days about some claims to religious conviction”.There are lots of possible causes. Anxiety about migration, anti-Islamism. In France, that anxiety has a secular aspect, but the St George’s Cross still means something in the English imagination, which still has a Christian aspect.The second thing is the globalising of all political discourse. The message given at international Christian conservative gatherings is that self-respecting nationalist movements need a bit of theology injected into them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drug-dealing, makeshift weapons and a ‘culture of fear’ at Villawood detention centre, report warns 20. August 2026 (11:23) Prolonged detention of children, insufficient staffing and hazardous damage to buildings are among the ombudsman’s concernsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDrugs are being openly dealt inside Villawood detention centre; makeshift weapons are being manufactured amid intimidation, standover tactics and a “culture of fear”; people are sleeping outside under CCTV cameras for their own safety; and children are being kept from going to school, a scathing report from the independent monitor has found.The commonwealth’s National Preventive Mechanism issued the report based on a three-day visit in March this year. A total of 428 people were held in Villawood at the time, including children. Some 78 beds were offline because of damage still not repaired from a fire three years ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
