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

The Guardian

Half of homes in Great Britain taking longer to sell than last year amid mortgage volatility

Many buyers wait in hope of better deal, although there are hotspots in Scotland and northern EnglandHalf of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to “wait and see” if they can get a better deal, according to a report.As the Middle East conflict continues to unfold, the property platform Zoopla said homes in 180 out of 363 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales were taking longer to

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Rising number of people seeking ADHD diagnosis without treatment, say experts

Psychiatrists in Channel 4 documentary argue it is more a ‘social construct’ than a medical conditionPeople are increasingly seeking to an obtain an ADHD diagnosis without pursuing treatment, according to experts who have called for more research to understand why.Some people now regard ADHD as “an identity, rather than a disorder”, with the result that many obtain assessments from poor quality private providers, which lead them to “believe they have a condition needing treatment”, said the psyc

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

IVF staff accused of misleading UK parents about sperm and egg donors in northern Cyprus

Multiple children are feared to have been conceived using sperm and egg donors which were not the ones selected by the parents.

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

1 Dead After Student Livestreams School Shooting in the Philippines

The boy shot and killed a schoolmate at a junior high school before fatally turning the gun on himself, the mayor of Zamboanga City said.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

At least 113 BHP workers sexually harassed colleagues in a single year, mining company says

Further 104 allegations not investigated due to ‘insufficient information or the wishes of the impacted person’, according to annual reportFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 100 workers at mining giant BHP lost their jobs, or resigned, during the last financial year after sexually harassing colleagues, which included numerous instances of indecent touching, stalking and grooming.The harassment cases, disclose

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Why Indian law students don't want top judge at their graduation ceremony

Students from two premier law universities say they don't want Chief Justice Surya Kant to attend their convocations.

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Watch: What we learned from opening statements in Tupac murder trial

The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil breaks down the key arguments as the long-awaited trial gets under way.

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

Chocó, Colombia, Faces Deeper Hardship After an Earthquake

In Chocó, a predominantly Afro-Colombian and Indigenous region, “pain, hunger and homelessness await” survivors of last week’s earthquake, the governor says.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

Top economists urge Burnham to sign UK up to UN initiative on global inequality

Open letter signed by 40 academics including Nobel winner Joseph Stiglitz and Kate Pickett, co-author of The Spirit Level Forty prominent progressive academics are urging Andy Burnham’s government to join a new global push to tackle inequality.The experts include Nobel winner Joseph Stiglitz, University College London professor Mariana Mazzucato, vice-chancellor of the London School of Economics Larry Kramer, and Kate Pickett, co-author of The Spirit Level. Continue reading...

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Student killed in Philippines Catholic school shooting

The alleged shooter, also a student, later took his own life.

general  Aug 18, 2026

WSJ World News

Crackdown on Sidewalk Drinking Pits British Pubgoers Against the ‘Fun Police’

A London council’s proposal is threatening one of Britain’s great summer joys: getting sloshed while standing up.

general  Aug 18, 2026

WSJ World News

Iran-Backed Houthis Threaten Coast Along Red Sea Chokepoint

The rebels have stepped up attacks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and shut down operations at a strategic seaport in recent days.

general  Aug 18, 2026

NY Times World

Zambia Says President Won Re-election After Tumultuous Campaign

With a second term, Hakainde Hichilema must navigate relations with the Trump administration, which has sought greater access to the copper-rich nation’s natural resources.

general  Aug 18, 2026

BBC World

Tupac murder trial: 'All hell broke loose' night of rapper's shooting, witness says

After he was shot multiple times, Tupac Shakur refused to cooperate with police and told an officer, "We'll take care of it," an officer testified.

general  Aug 18, 2026

The Guardian

White House launches personal attack on CNN reporter over question to Trump

CNN says attack ‘beneath the office’ after Kristen Holmes asked president about Jon Ossoff’s comment on key aideThe White House launched a personal attack against a CNN reporter on Monday with a social media post that mentioned her children and accused her of asking a “disgusting and inhumane question”.A White House post targeted Kristen Holmes, a senior White House correspondent for the network, after she asked Donald Trump to respond to a widely shared comment by Democratic senator Jon Ossoff

general  Aug 18, 2026

WSJ World News

See How Europe’s Rivers Are Drying Up and Threatening Its Economy

Intense heat and lack of rain have driven water levels across the continent to record lows.

general  Aug 18, 2026