Trump administration has refunded 60% of $165bn taken in illegal tariffs 05. August 2026 (11:34) Government has so far returned $100bn to companies from levies that US supreme court struck downBusiness live – latest updatesThe Trump administration has refunded about $100bn from the tariffs it collected before the US supreme court ruled them illegal, according to reports.The $100bn (£74bn) figure, which represents 60% of the total $165bn collected from Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, was reported by customs officials to the US court of international trade (CIT) on Tuesday, according to the Financial Times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mexico’s top university orders 58,000 students to resit entrance exam after suspected cheating 05. August 2026 (11:00) National Autonomous University of Mexico says applicants must take test in person after online debacleMexico’s largest and most prestigious university has announced that about 58,000 students will have to resit their entrance exam after abnormally high test results raised suspicions of widespread cheating.The National Autonomous University of Mexico (Unam) said the exam would take place in person after its first attempt at a fully remote online version led to a debacle and thousands of annulled results. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham considering public inquiry into UK activities of Jeffrey Epstein 05. August 2026 (10:42) Minister says PM has agreed to meet victims of sex offender and could launch separate inquiry into Mohamed Al FayedAndy Burnham is considering launching a public inquiry into the UK activities of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a minister has said.The victims minister, Alex Davies-Jones, said the prime minister had agreed to meet Epstein’s victims, was “looking into” an inquiry and was “taking this very seriously”. A separate inquiry into the alleged actions of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed is also being considered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
OpenAI and Anthropic models ‘went rogue’ during UK cybersecurity test 05. August 2026 (10:40) AI Security Institute says tools engaged in potentially harmful activity and incident reveals new type of riskAdvanced AI models developed by OpenAI and Anthropic went rogue during a cybersecurity test and showed a new type of risk posed by the technology, according to the UK’s AI Security Institute.AISI described the actions carried out by the agents – the term for AI systems that can perform tasks without human help – as a “serious incident”. In one example, an agent powered by Anthropic’s Mythos model sent targeted emails to people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Badenoch defends decision to allow man jailed for antisemitism to stand as councillor 05. August 2026 (10:37) Tory leader praises Joshua Bonehill-Paine’s ‘contrition’ but says she has higher thresholds for MP candidatesUK politics live – latest updatesKemi Badenoch has defended her party’s decision to allow a former neo-Nazi who was jailed for subjecting a prominent Labour politician to antisemitic abuse to stand as a councillor.Badenoch said her party was not giving Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who is standing for election in Somerset, a “national platform”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Next upgrades profit outlook again as it benefits from summer spending 05. August 2026 (10:30) Retailer expects to end year with pre-tax profit of £1.2bn, about £25m higher than forecast previouslyNext has raised hopes that UK shoppers are still willing to spend despite pressures on household budgets, as it upgraded its profit guidance for the third time this year.The clothing and homeware retailer said it benefited from sunny weather and the release of some “pent-up demand” in the Middle East and northern Europe in the 13 weeks ended on 1 August. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chris Bowen vows to override Queensland and NT to force renewables-powered AI datacentres 05. August 2026 (10:09) Energy minister says Australian households and energy reliability will be protected by new federal legislationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe energy minister, Chris Bowen, says the federal government will override state governments that oppose new national rules on datacentres, with commonwealth legislation forcing new AI datacentres to be powered by renewable energy and banning those fuelled by gas.Bowen said he expected his counterparts in Queensland and the Northern Territory – who had protested against the new federal rules at a meeting last week – to be unhappy with the move, but said the Albanese government was committed to powering the AI revolution with renewable energy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year 05. August 2026 (10:00) UN forecasters warn of worsening conditions in 45 countries currently experiencing severe food insecurityAbout 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the end of next year by the rapidly developing El Niño weather system, according to forecasting.This is in addition to the hundreds of millions of people already facing dangerous levels of hunger, owing to years of drought in parts of Africa and pressure on food prices from the war in Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor’s gambling reform friendless as Coalition withholds support amid drug and sex worker allegations 05. August 2026 (09:50) Sarah Henderson says bill ignores gambling inducements, uniting parties and independents against controversial legislationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor will be forced to make major changes to its planned crackdown on online gambling advertising, as the Coalition, Greens and independents demand tougher rules to stop betting companies offering generous inducements as well as further limits on broadcast ads.After a two-day inquiry including sensational evidence that gambling companies allegedly provided illegal drugs and access to sex workers to keep problem gamblers betting, the Coalition confirmed on Wednesday afternoon it would seek “crucial amendments” before agreeing to support the government’s legislation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Test for Australia’s best laundry detergent sees Aldi and Omo tied for first place 05. August 2026 (09:46) In a Choice test of 48 products, the Aldi powder also came out on top for top loadersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConsumer advocacy group Choice has put more than 40 supermarket laundry detergent products through the wringer, naming two Omo and one Aldi product as its best performers – while some other brands perform barely better than water.In a lab test of 48 laundry powders, liquids and capsules, Aldi Trimat Advanced Laundry Powder Concentrate, Omo Active Clean Powder and Omo Ultimate Powder shared equal-first billing for front loader washing machines, with all three products scoring 82% overall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
