The Guardian

Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel – UK politics live

Burnham has announced a range of policies aimed at relieving pressure on financially squeezed households and businessesDisabled bus pass holders in England will be able to travel for free at all hours from April next year, the government has announced.Currently, disabled bus passes are valid for travel only on weekdays from 9.30am to 11pm unless local authorities fund an extension, as Greater Manchester did earlier this year when Andy Burnham was mayor. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Zambia's president wins second term with 60% of the vote

Hakainde Hichilema says he was “truly humbled” by the victory and promised to work for all Zambians.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Ukraine launches over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas – Europe live

Russian-controlled regions, including the occupied Crimea, also reported heavy attacksUkraine launched over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas overnight, continuing its massive attacks on targets in Russia after even larger weekend strikes.Drones are believed to hit a warehouse of Russian e-commerce company Wildberries and other facilities near Moscow, Reuters reported. At least three people were injured in attacks. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Man charged with manslaughter after dog-bite death in Wakefield

Man to appear in court charged over death of 55-year-old man who was bitten by dog on footpath on SaturdayA 55-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man who was bitten by a dog on a footpath.West Yorkshire police were called to reports of an altercation on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Russia warns UK of ‘consequences’ over reports Ukraine using British drones in attacks

Ministry of Defence rebuffs threats, saying UK ‘committed to providing equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion’Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time.Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Indian student leader ends hunger strike after 16 days

Devendra Nath Mahto was part of a larger protest which began weeks ago, demanding exam reforms in Jharkhand state.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Victoria moves to expand definition of ‘corruption’ before state election

Former Ibac head welcomes potential change that could capture actions that currently cannot be used to make corrupt findingsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Carroll has committed to changing the definition of “corruption” before the Victorian election in a move a former anti-corruption boss says could have captured the conduct of senior government figures had it been in place earlier.The Victorian premier announced on Tuesday said it was his intention to introduce t

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

China censors public mourning as it holds former premier's funeral

While hailing Zhu’s legacy, authorities are wary that the nostalgia could lead to criticisms of Xi’s rule.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Wetherspoons pubs ban playing music or taking calls on phone speakers

Chain tells customers to ‘pipe down’ and use earphones instead, calling its venues ‘an oasis of tranquillity’The pub chain Wetherspoons has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after growing complaints about the noise.The company announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem in recent years”. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman

Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrenderBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have risen again after the two-month window to negotiate a peace deal in the US-Israel war on Iran expired on Monday with no end to the conflict in sight.Iran said on Monday that it would take a more aggressive stance if talks with the US failed, while Donald Trump demanded Tehran “put up the white flag of surrender” in an interview with Fox N

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Doctors remove 3.1kg stone from man's bladder and claim record

The bladder stone, which weighs as much as a full-term baby, is believed to be the largest on record.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

UK pay growth slows as Iran war prompts cost of living squeeze

Unemployment rate remained at 4.9% in the three months to the end of June, ONS figures showWage growth in the UK slowed in June as workers come under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war, official figures show.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show average growth in total earnings, including bonuses, fell to 4.1% in the three months to June, down from 4.3% in the three months to May. City economists had forecast a larger fall to

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Coalition MPs cross floor over ‘weak’ gambling crackdown as major parties strike deal

Gambling sources question how an opt-out register would operate while Greens call Labor-Coalition agreement ‘cowardly’Two Coalition MPs have crossed the floor after a deal between the major parties to pass Labor’s new restrictions on betting advertising and inducements, which the MPs say are too “weak” and place “too much faith in the hands of the gambling companies”.Anthony Albanese and the communications minister, Anika Wells, secured the support of the opposition to pass the bill, with amendm

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Isles of Scilly friendliest place in England, social division research finds

All local authority areas ranked, with two Devon districts in top five and Barking and Dagenham named least friendlyThe Isles of Scilly have been named as the friendliest place in England as part of a major study into social division across Britain.All 296 local authority areas have been ranked in a new index using government data from the community life survey, measuring how often people chat to neighbours, feelings of loneliness and belonging, local pride, and levels of participation in civic

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham urged to intervene over ‘zero-hours’ custody officers in private prison

Exclusive: Prison officers’ union strongly opposes HMP Millsike offering flexible work escorting prisoners amid staff shortagesAndy Burnham is under pressure to intervene in a privately run prison that is seeking to recruit custody officers on zero-hours contracts for the first time across England and Wales’ prison estate.Managers at HMP Millsike, a category C prison for 1,500 prisoners near York operated by the outsourcing company Mitie, have signed off online adverts for £25-an-hour prisoner e

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills

Lee Jae Myung reiterates desire for full command back in Seoul’s hands after Donald Trump cuts joint exercises, citing warm ties with Kim Jong-un‘Inane, haphazard decision’ by Trump to gut South Korea allianceSouth Korea’s president ⁠has renewed his push to regain independent control of the military from the US in the event of war and urged faster progress in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines after Donald Trump’s order to cut joint drills.On Sunday night, Trump instructed the Pentagon to “sub

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Tuesday briefing: What the Simon Levy case tells us about the women the justice system keeps failing

In today’s newsletter: The women most at risk of violence are often the least likely to be heard – the murder of two sex workers shows why that must changeGood morning. Last week, Simon Levy, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to a rare whole life tariff for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins. Both women, as well as others targeted by Levy, were vulnerable and involved in sex work.This was no coincidence: in the sentencing remarks, it was noted that Levy – who had

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Alleged victim tells Alan Jones’s barrister he was ‘groomed for 10 years’ and to ‘get real’ during combative cross-examination

Former broadcaster has pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges in relation to six menFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlan Jones allegedly groomed a junior staffer at 2GB for a decade, resulting in the young man sending multiple explicit texts to the broadcaster, a Sydney court has heard.As a young man, Complainant C was a driver for the 2GB star broadcaster when Jones allegedly touched

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

What it's like to be on a warship like the USS Abraham Lincoln

Concerns have mounted about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since 11 December.

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Inside secret police warehouse as Germany targets small boats gangs

German authorities seize dinghies and life jackets during their first raids under a new law that cracks down on smuggling.

general  Aug 18, 2026