Phil Collins details serious alcoholism: ‘People were coming to say goodbye’ 03. August 2026 (11:01) Pop and rock legend tells Sunday Times of drinking problem and ill health after final Genesis tour in 2021Phil Collins has said that he suffered life-threatening alcoholism in recent years.Speaking to the Sunday Times, the pop and rock legend, 75, said that his drinking began after he stopped taking Antabuse, a drug that causes illness if alcohol is consumed, which he had been using since an earlier period of alcoholism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former navy officer criticises Reform plan to use military to stop small boats 03. August 2026 (11:01) Retired commander says policy lacks substance as party accused of trying to distract from Nigel Farage’s scandalsUK politics live – latest updatesA Reform UK proposal to use the military to stop small boats bringing migrants to the UK from France lacks substance, a former Royal Navy officer has said, suggesting the UK’s warships would be better used countering actual military threats.Reform’s political opponents have claimed its plans have more to do with distracting from the financial scandals surrounding its leader, Nigel Farage, than about solving the small boats issue, after the party proposed having the navy pick up people trying to make irregular Channel crossings and take them to France. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices plunge and Europe’s stock markets rally after Trump calls off Iran strikes 03. August 2026 (10:44) Brent crude drops by 5% after US president said talks on Middle East peace deal would resumeBusiness live – latest updatesCrude oil prices fell sharply and European stock markets rallied on Monday after Donald Trump cancelled planned strikes on Iran to focus on negotiations for a peace deal.Brent crude was trading 5% lower at $83.50 a barrel by mid-morning, after falling as low as $81.55 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate dropped more than $5 to $79.47 a barrel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yen hits three-month high after Trump helps prop up currency 03. August 2026 (10:34) US and Japanese governments confirm they carried out a rare joint intervention late last weekWhy has Trump stepped in to prop up Japan’s currency?Business live – latest updatesThe yen has hit its highest level in three months after Japan and the US launched a combined operation to support the Japanese currency.The yen strengthened to ¥155 to the US dollar on Monday, its highest level since early May, after Tokyo and Washington confirmed they had carried out a rare joint currency intervention late last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weather tracker: Austria breaks heat records as Japan braces for Typhoon Dolphin 03. August 2026 (10:16) Soaring temperatures continue to sweep parts of Europe, while Okinawa faces powerful winds and storm surgesEurope live – latest updatesUnbearable, record-breaking heat has dominated the summer of 2026 across much of Europe. New records were set in central Europe last week, with Wieselburg in Austria registering a new July peak of 40.3C (104.5F). This is particularly significant as it is just 0.2C behind the all-time high, set in the August of 2003.However, not all of the northern hemisphere has experienced extreme heat and aridity. Vancouver recorded its wettest July since 2016 and the third wettest since 2008, with 33.6mm of rain. While that total may not appear exceptional, it is only a touch above the 1991-2020 climate average, highlighting how unusually dry July has been in the Canadian city over the past decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alan Jones allegedly gifted cash and car to teenager he kissed after commenting on sprinter’s penis, trial hears 03. August 2026 (07:42) Former 2UE and 2GB radio broadcaster is facing 22 charges. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guiltyAlan Jones trial live updatesWarning: may contain graphic contentA champion athlete who was 14 when he met Alan Jones has told a Sydney court the broadcaster befriended him after he broke a record, and went on to give him a mobile phone, a car and up to $600 a week.Complainant J gave evidence on Monday during the first day of Jones’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial at Sydney local court. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two men seriously injured after Sydney building suddenly collapses 03. August 2026 (07:28) Another five people assessed by ambulance personnel after roof and wall cave in on Wattle St in UltimoFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo people have been pulled from debris after a building suddenly collapsed in a Sydney inner-city suburb.The men, who are both in their 60s, were in a serious condition after being transported to hospital, New South Wales Ambulance said on Monday.This story was updated on 3 August 2026 to correct the ages of the men who were injured. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS mental health trust plans £25m in cuts to jobs and services 03. August 2026 (07:00) Body providing care in east London and Bedfordshire accused of ‘unfathomable and unacceptable’ moveAn NHS mental health trust plans to cut a wide range of its services and axe hundreds of jobs to close a £25m hole in its finances.The move by the East London foundation trust (ELFT) and the scale of potential cuts involved have been called unfathomable given demand for NHS mental health support is rising rapidly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Blanche formally rescinds Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’ ahead of nomination hearing 03. August 2026 (06:46) Todd Blanche issues formal order terminating measure widely derided as a ‘slush fund’, in move that could clear path for his nomination as attorney generalActing US attorney general Todd Blanche issued a formal order late on Sunday terminating Donald Trump’s $1.8bn “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies, a move that follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination to become attorney general.While Blanche has repeatedly said publicly that the fund was dead, the justice department had resisted formally confirming that in writing. That had drawn concern from lawmakers that it could be revived in some form, especially after Trump expressed continued support for the idea. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand legislation making English an official language ridiculed as ‘pathetic’ 03. August 2026 (06:06) Passing of bill gives English same status as Māori and sign language but, with it already spoken by 95% of country, critics call it ‘a pointless exercise’Legislation recognising English as an official language of New Zealand has been passed by parliament, prompting derision from linguists and legal experts and a now-viral broadside from a Māori MP who called it “pathetic”.The English language bill became law on 30 July giving English, which is spoken by 95% of the country, the same official status as te reo Māori (Māori language) and New Zealand sign language. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
