HCA workers push for higher pay and more staffing amid billions in profits: ‘I’m struggling’ 11. August 2026 (13:00) Largest for-profit hospital system and operator in the US reported $6.8bn in profits, while employees find it difficult to make ends meetUnion workers with HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital system and operator in the US, are holding picket protests across the country as they push for pay and staffing increases in a new contract.The hospital system has over 300,000 employees in the US and the UK, with 22,000 US workers represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) who are in contract negotiations with HCA. Workers are asking for a pathway to a $25 an hour minimum wage, improved wage scales and raises that match the increased cost of living, along with benefits including paid vacation, sick time and bolstered work protections. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon picks raise questions over Trump family business ties 11. August 2026 (13:00) Two advisers have links to a venture fund co-investing in US defense companies that benefit from federal spendingPete Hegseth’s appointments to a key Pentagon advisory body include two men with ties to the venture capital fund where Donald Trump Jr is a partner, which has lucrative investments in military and space technology.Defense Policy Board appointee Marc Andreessen’s firm, Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s largest venture capital firms and known by the name “a16z”, co-invests alongside the Trump partnership 1789 Capital in three defense contractors. Fellow DPB appointee Blake Masters also sits on the boards of three ventures tied to 1789 Capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hotel prices in Europe jump before total solar eclipse 11. August 2026 (12:50) Rooms in Icelandic capital Reykjavík cost double usual rate and Spain also enjoying strong bookingsEurope’s total solar eclipse: the best place to see itHotel prices have surged in key European cities as hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to see the first total eclipse visible from the continent this century.Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, has seen one of the biggest jumps in hotel room prices, being one of the few accessible locations to see the full eclipse before evening on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes 11. August 2026 (12:40) Verdict relates to atrocities committed during the country’s 14-year civil war in which about 500,000 people diedA Syrian court has sentenced the country’s former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the 14-year civil war, in which about half a million people died.The two men fled to Moscow after being ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December 2024 which toppled the dictatorial regime in just 11 days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham rough-sleeper pledge at risk from failures in housing ex-prisoners, charity warns 11. August 2026 (11:41) Analysis finds nearly one in six people leaving jail last year in England and Wales were released into homelessnessAndy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping is under threat from a failure to find accommodation for a growing number of newly released prisoners, a charity has warned.An analysis by the social justice charity Nacro has found that nearly one in six people leaving jail in England and Wales last year were released into homelessness, reaching the highest rate for five years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine used North Korean missiles, claims Zelenskyy – Europe live 11. August 2026 (11:34) Russian attacks on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least six people and injured 20, officials saidMeanwhile, Russia has banned voting against the war in September’s elections.The supreme court upheld a suit brought by a small pro-Kremlin nationalist party, Roblina, and stripped voters opposed to the war of their last option on the ballot: Yabloko, the country’s only remaining anti-war party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amber heat health alerts kick in across most of England ahead of fifth summer heatwave – latest news 11. August 2026 (11:17) Amber heat health alerts are now in effect across all regions of England, aside from the north eastThe climate breakdown has been linked to the increasing frequency of wildfires, burning larger areas, across many parts of the world, as my colleagues note in this story.The so-called “fire wave” under way in the UK is the most widespread the country has ever seen, with the combination of wet winters and prolonged heatwaves exacerbating the risk.Crews have worked tirelessly throughout the night, a change in wind direction provided a challenge to the firefighting operations but thanks to the efforts of firefighters we are managing to contain the fire.We have been using a mix of fire engines and off-road vehicles to damp down and cool the edges of the area involved in the fire to prevent spread and escalation … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Delivery drivers to be paid minimum $31.30 an hour across Australia in ‘world-leading’ decision 11. August 2026 (10:25) Fair Work Commission issues a new minimum standards order for gig workers to come into effect 17 AugustGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDelivery drivers in Australia will be paid a minimum rate of $31.30 (US $22.05/£16.35) an hour and insured for injuries on the job under a landmark agreement approved by the industrial umpire that could set a precedent in other countries.The Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Tuesday issued a new minimum standards order for gig workers who perform on-demand delivery of food, drinks, or groceries, and the operators of the digital platforms who engage their services. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heathrow says need for expansion ‘clear’ as it loses title of Europe’s busiest airport 11. August 2026 (10:02) West London airport reports 7.86 million passengers in July, compared with 8.15 million for IstanbulBusiness live – latest updatesHeathrow airport has argued “the case for expansion has never been clearer” after it lost its position as Europe’s busiest airport to Istanbul.Figures published on Tuesday showed 7.86 million passengers passed through Heathrow’s four terminals in July,whereas its Turkish counterpart recorded 8.15 million passengers over the same period. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham ‘increasingly confident’ PC Harper’s killers will not get early release 11. August 2026 (09:52) Prime minister says he has asked justice secretary to push through measures to increase the number of prison placesAndy Burnham has said he is increasingly confident he can adapt the early release scheme for prisoners to exclude the killers of PC Andrew Harper and other serious offenders, saying he understood and shared the public’s concern about their potential release.Writing in on Facebook, the prime minister said he had asked the justice secretary, Alex Norris, to rapidly push through a series of measures to increase the number of prison places, requiring fewer people to be released early to free up room. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
