Gangs using Airbnb-type rentals as drug stash houses, top Belgian official says 11. August 2026 (09:47) Flexible short-term bookings used to store and pack drugs and stash weapons and cash, says Ine Van WymerschAirbnb-type short-term rentals are being used as stash houses by criminal gangs for money, drugs, weapons and people, Belgium’s lead official in charge of countering drugs has said.The booming e-commerce sector is helping “enormously” to facilitate organised crime, Belgium’s national drug commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens 11. August 2026 (08:55) An Amnesty International report reveals that the country is now a key part of Israel’s weapons supply chain. Plus, Assam floods, student anger spreads and a song to put in rotation• Don’t get This is India delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereHello, and welcome back to This Is India.For this week’s newsletter, I’m looking at India’s evolving relationship with Israel, and how it has deepened as conflict swept across the Middle East. Why is it that India has formed an even closer bond with a country that has faced mounting international isolation and backlash over a military campaign in Gaza that has left the territory in ruins and killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, – many of whom were children? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s prime minister refuses to apologise to Japanese counterpart over melon gaffe 11. August 2026 (08:49) Anthony Albanese facing criticism after appearing to joke on a podcast about a gift of melons from Sanae TakaichiAustralian prime minister Anthony Albanese has rejected calls to apologise to Japan’s prime minister over a joke he made about melons on a satirical podcast, amid a media frenzy and accusations of sexual innuendo.Government MPs have defended the prime minister as criticism mounted over last month’s remarks, branded by the Coalition opposition as “grubby”. Assistant minister Pat Gorman told media: “I don’t know why we’re still talking about this”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nvidia links with Wall Street firms for $500bn AI financing deal 11. August 2026 (08:32) Apollo, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and KKR among those working with chipmaker to fund infrastructureNvidia has partnered with six major Wall Street financial institutions to raise more than $500bn (£370bn) capital for artificial intelligence infrastructure.The Nvidia chief executive, Jensen Huang, said on X that the company has the option to backstop up to $125bn, or 25% of the potential deals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Consumer confidence at near two-year high as World Cup and UK holidaying lift summer spending 11. August 2026 (08:00) Barclays says survey shows people feel more secure in jobs and have more leeway to spend on non-essentialsBusiness live – latest updatesConsumer confidence hit its highest level in almost two years in July, according to research that indicated the closing stages of the men’s football World Cup and more people holidaying in the UK lifted summer spending.A truce in the Middle East conflict in June and the arrival of a new prime minister in No 10 also gave a lift to consumers after a long period of heightened uncertainty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition divided over tougher gambling laws – with MPs warning Angus Taylor against overreach 11. August 2026 (07:49) Some Liberal and National MPs warned against over-regulation in party room discussion, while others argued for more stringent rulesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCoalition MPs have warned the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, not to overreach in talks with Anthony Albanese on Labor’s gambling advertising crackdown, insisting rules that are too stringent would not strike the right balance on personal responsibility.The prime minister and the opposition leader continued talks on Tuesday over a deal to advance Labor’s legislation to limit online gambling advertising, with betting inducements and more restrictions on advertising hours among possible avenues for movement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lobbying firm linked to Reformers created fake administrative assistant named ‘Jessica’, Icac hears 11. August 2026 (07:28) Consultant Jeremy Greenwood gives evidence to Independent Commission Against Corruption as it investigates allegations linked to Christian Liberal groupFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former lobbying firm which allegedly accepted illegal donations to fund factional Liberal party work created a fake administrative assistant called “Jessica”, an inquiry has heard.Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood gave his second day of evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (Icac) Operation Rosny on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank holds cash rate at 4.35% but threatens more hikes if needed 11. August 2026 (07:10) In a widely expected decision, the Reserve Bank of Australia holds interest rate after three hikes earlier this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank of Australia has held the official cash rate at 4.35% but threatened to hike again if needed, as it warned falling house prices would slow income growth.The widely expected decision comes after a steep decline in property values in Sydney and Melbourne arrived in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide following three rate hikes earlier this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Matilda in pieces: what one mother’s suicide reveals about the carers broken by the system 11. August 2026 (07:00) Parent-carers of disabled children are exposed to chronic levels of extreme stress and often reach crisis point before help is available – then they face a ‘fight for basic support’, experts say. This is Matilda Davis’s storyTwo days before she died, Matilda Davis issued a plea on Facebook. Sharing a study that found more than 40% of parent-carers had considered suicide, she called for “greater awareness, action and change” in Britain’s broken social care system. “This speaks the words I can’t,” she wrote.Matilda, known as Tilly to her family and friends, had spent years battling for support in a regime that close observers and those who rely on it often say is increasingly confusing, fragmented and difficult to navigate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hundreds in London flats left without regular running water since last year 11. August 2026 (07:00) Supply in nine blocks in Tower Hamlets affected with some residents suspecting nearby building developmentsThey cannot even flush their toilets: life in east London blocks where taps often run dryHundreds of residents in blocks of flats in east London have been left without regular running water for more than seven months after development in the area may have left it without an adequate supply.Taps have been running dry in nine blocks in Tower Hamlets, where residents have been forced to use bottled water while their landlord, the housing association Poplar Harca, delayed works to solve the problem. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
