Arron Banks hired private investigators to dig into Conservative party chair 16. August 2026 (18:00) Revelation comes after it was disclosed that Reform UK backer had paid for spying on prominent journalistThe businessman and Reform UK backer Arron Banks commissioned a private intelligence firm to dig into the Conservative party chair, in addition to having paid for an investigation into a prominent journalist.Banks, a former Reform UK candidate and leave campaign donor, appeared to confirm on Sunday that he was behind an investigation into Kevin Hollinrake. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘She is a hero’: 13-year-old survivor of Michigan shooting rampage called 911 16. August 2026 (17:47) Girl called police after she was shot four times in shooting spree that left six dead, including gunmanA 13-year-old girl in Michigan survived being shot four times in a shooting spree that left six people dead – including the suspected attacker – and called emergency help herself shortly before investigators identified the gunman, according to a state police official and her family.Those actions made the teen a “hero”, said a relative of hers as well as two of the dead victims. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect in Virginia State University shooting found hiding in dorm closet 16. August 2026 (17:42) Suspect, 19, who is not enrolled at the university arrested in connection with shooting of five people, authorities sayA young man suspected in connection with the shooting of five people on Saturday on the campus of Virginia State University (VSU) hid in a dormitory closet for more than 14 hours being found and arrested, according to authorities.The suspect – identified as 19-year-old Camron Harris – was found in Seward Hall on VSU’s campus at 4pm, local police Lt James Lamb said, according to the Virginia news outlet WTVR. The shooting occurred at about 1.30am on Saturday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lala weakens to tropical storm as it lashes Hawaii with heavy wind and rain 16. August 2026 (17:18) Hurricane Lala downgraded after skirting Big Island as one person dies and over 130,000 households are without powerHurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts. Total rainfall of nearly 3ft (one meter) was expected on the higher windward slopes, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides.The Hawaii governor, Josh Green, said at least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. More than 130,000 households were without power Sunday morning across Hawaii’s three largest islands, according to the utility tracker poweroutage.us. At least three hospitals were operating on generator power, and 19 roofs were lost, Green said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greek island wildfire kills two people as helicopters called in to tackle Belgium forest blaze 16. August 2026 (17:16) Belgium battling biggest fire in more than a century as flames near German border and 600 people told to evacuateTwo people have died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis as firefighting aircraft were called on to help tame the biggest blaze in Belgium in more than a century in the latest wave of European wildfires.The bodies of two people were recovered from the Peristeria beach area of Salamis on Sunday after two fires broke out on the island, a fire department spokesperson told Agence France-Presse. Hundreds of people have been ordered to evacuate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nazi artefacts still being sold online years after trade outlawed across Australia 16. August 2026 (17:00) One seller says second world war memorabilia containing banned Nazi symbols is legal under exemptions to the lawsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNazi artefacts bearing prohibited symbols are being openly sold in Australia three years after the federal government made it illegal to do so, with vendors saying they are doing so for “educational” reasons.The government in 2023 outlawed the display and trade of items bearing the Nazi Hakenkreuz (swastika) and double-sig rune that was the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS), after multiple states passed similar laws that banned the display of Nazi symbols and the performance of the Nazi salute. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian health experts fear US vaccine scepticism is catching on as ‘anything Trump says filters through’ 16. August 2026 (17:00) Australia records 3% fall in one-year-olds fully immunised against hepatitis B as downward trend continues, expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian medical experts have warned a shift in child vaccination advice in the US is not grounded in science and could undo decades of public health advances.The US president, Donald Trump, signed an unprecedented executive order calling for American children to be vaccinated against fewer diseases, suggesting a link to autism despite no evidence. The official number of recommended immunisations for children would drop to 11, compared with 18 at the end of 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The PM called Sally McManus a giant of the Labor movement. Now she just wants to go birding 16. August 2026 (17:00) After securing wage rises for low-paid workers, weathering death threats and working with three PMs – the ACTU secretary is ready for a breakGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSally McManus started her job as the country’s most powerful trade union leader amid howls of criticism.Shouted down for suggesting union members were right to break “unjust” industrial laws in a live TV interview, McManus quickly adjusted to the high decibel work of being secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in small Polish village 16. August 2026 (17:00) Hundreds watched the 56-metre monument’s consecration, including anti-communist leader Lech WałęsaAn enormous statue of the Virgin Mary that is believed to be Europe’s tallest was inaugurated on Saturday in a small Polish village, in the presence of the anti-communist leader Lech Wałęsa.Hundreds of people took part in the consecration of the monument, which towers 55.6 metres (182ft) over Konotopie in central Poland, a village of fewer than 150 people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge University defends its mental health support for Jason Arday 16. August 2026 (16:09) University says it continued to provide support after resignation of academic, who was found dead on FridayThe University of Cambridge has defended its mental health support for the academic Jason Arday.The university said it had continued to provide Arday with extensive mental health support and security measures, including installing panic alarms and screening racist emails and post, after he resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
