Republican Chuck Edwards drops bid for re-election after report finding sexual harassment of staffers 05. August 2026 (14:34) Congressional ethics panel had recommended Edwards face censure over its findings on ‘hostile work environment’US politics live – latest updatesChuck Edwards announced he would not run for re-election after the US House of Representatives ethics committee determined the US congressman “fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment” by giving gifts and lavishing attention on two young female staffers.Edwards, a Republican for North Carolina, said he would complete his current term, which is due to end in January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Head of drone manufacturer critically injured in car bomb in Russia 05. August 2026 (14:10) Assassination attempt demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to continue clandestine operations deep inside Russian territoryEurope live – latest updatesThe head of a leading Russian drone manufacturer has been critically injured in a car bomb near Ekaterinburg, in what appears to be the latest in a series of assassination attempts targeting figures linked to the country’s war in Ukraine.Vladimir Tkachuk, the founder of the private drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, was rushed to intensive care on Wednesday after a bomb planted beneath his Mercedes exploded, according to Russian state media, citing emergency services. His bodyguard was killed in the explosion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italy to place all 27 of its major cities on highest heat alert 05. August 2026 (14:01) Move comes as fourth heatwave of summer intensifies, edging temperatures in some areas close to 40CItaly is to place all of its 27 major cities, from Trieste in the north to Palermo in the south, under the highest heat alert as the fourth heatwave to hit the country this summer intensifies.A red alert means there is a higher chance of an emergency owing to the health risk posed by prolonged extreme temperatures to the entire population. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drone found at German airport after cargo plane collides with object mid-air 05. August 2026 (13:37) Investigators looking into whether incidents at Leipzig are linked after DHL plane forced to make emergency landingA DHL cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing after colliding with an unknown object as it was climbing away from Germany’s Leipzig airport, where police later found a drone on the ground.The German government on Wednesday confirmed the incident, which led to serious disruption of air traffic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Pakistani minister arrested over alleged child rape in 1990s Manchester 05. August 2026 (13:30) Exclusive: Rukhsar Ahmed was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week despite being on police bail in the UKA former Pakistani state minister has been arrested on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s, the Guardian can reveal.Rukhsar Ahmed, who was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week after five years out of office, is on police bail in the UK after his arrest in July 2024 on suspicion of rape and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘They’re selling the safety of the traveling public’: TSA workers decry Trump privatization push 05. August 2026 (13:00) Union exploring options to oppose program that would put US airport screening into hands of private contractors The labor union representing workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is raising alarms over a new program that will expand privatizing security checkpoints at three airports.The agency informed the union last month of plans to enact the TSA Gold+ program, which would shift security and control of the screening technology into the hands of private contractors at airports in Tampa, Charleston and Des Moines. Union workers are expected to lose their union contract and benefits once a contractor takes over. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peruvian cardinal hails $150m lead poisoning settlement for 1,300 people as a ‘historic milestone’ 05. August 2026 (12:40) Cardinal Pedro Barreto received death threats and harassment during his almost 20-year campaign against a US mining company’s operations in the AndesA Peruvian cardinal who received a barrage of death threats when he challenged the firm behind a toxic smelter has called a $150m (£111m) out-of-court settlement to more than 1,000 people who were allegedly poisoned by the plant as children “a historic milestone”.Cardinal Pedro Barreto, 82, was in Rome meeting Pope Leo XIV and other cardinals in June when he received news that the firm that ran the smelter, the Doe Run Company, a subsidiary of Renco Group, would pay $150m to 1,373 Peruvians who have suffered health impacts since childhood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Michigan Senate Democratic primary race remains too close to call as El-Sayed holds narrow lead – US politics live 05. August 2026 (11:59) The former public health official has slight lead over congresswoman Haley Stevens, but vote count could continue well into the dayEl-Sayed holds narrow lead in Michigan Senate primary but race too close to callUS representative Haley Stevens, who is currently trailing in the Democratic primary for Senate in Michigan, has cast herself throughout her campaign as a pragmatic problem-solver and workhorse.Stevens, who has represented Michigan’s 11th House district since 2019, after flipping the seat, has a long list of high profile endorsements from within the Democratic party that include the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, the Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and Gary Peters, the retiring senator who holds the seat she is now running for. Her campaign had also been boosted by tens of millions of dollars in outside spending, including from groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), the pro-Israel lobbying organization. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Justice minister defends early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers amid possible legal challenge – UK politics live 05. August 2026 (11:56) Jake Richards acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’BP’s chief executive has urged Andy Burnham to make use of the UK’s oil and gas resources even as the oil company prepares to sell its North Sea business after 60 years in the ageing basin.In a conversation with the new prime minister, Meg O’Neill said the country should prioritise using energy produced in the UK, “where we generate jobs, we generate tax revenue, we generate all those additional positive impacts”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy rails at lack of anti-missile defences amid deadly Russian attack on Kyiv – Europe live 05. August 2026 (11:42) EU’s von der Leyen warns ‘Russia must pay’ and condemns ‘horrible atrocities’ after Kyiv strikes kill at least 17 peopleRussian attack on Kyiv kills at least 17 as Zelenskyy calls for better air defencesLithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys called Russia “a terrorist state” when responding to the latest round of attacks on Kyiv.“At least 17 people were killed and 44 injured. Pure terror. Ukraine needs more air defence – now. Every intercepted missile means lives saved. The only language the Kremlin understands is strength. The world must increase pressure on Russia and force it to the negotiating table.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
