The Guardian

UK extreme heat prompts Cobra emergency meeting

High temperatures continue with forecasts reaching 38C on Thursday and wildfires stretching emergency servicesThe prime minister will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat, which has caused wildfires and plunged many parts of Britain into drought.Andy Burnham will meet with ministers, officials and agencies as high temperatures continue across the UK on Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures of 33C forecast, and up to 38C on Thursday. Continue

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Wednesday briefing: Why the prison crisis is about much more than early release

In today’s newsletter: As ministers scramble to resolve overcrowding in prisons, experts say the crisis demands a rethink of who we lock up – and what happens when they’re set freeGood morning. On his family holiday last week, the prime minister, Andy Burnham, was reported to be taking daily calls from Ministry of Justice officials about his government’s early release scheme. A furious public outcry has gathered pace since it emerged that the plan – brought in by his predecessor, Keir Starmer, t

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Members of Liberal group received ‘kickbacks’ from lobbying company’s Catholic Schools NSW contract, Icac hears

Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood gives evidence about allegations linked to Reformers at Independent Commission Against Corruption hearingMembers of a conservative Christian Liberal group received a “kickback” from consultancy payments made by the governing body for more than 600 schools in New South Wales, an inquiry has heard.Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood gave his third day of evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (Icac) Operation Rosny on Wednesday. Continue reading.

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

All-British chocolate bar made by scientists using Reading-grown cocoa

Master’s student made first bar with 100% UK ingredients since 1932 to highlight affect of climate crisis on cocoa plants The late queen was the only person in history to have ever eaten a chocolate bar made with 100% British ingredients, after she was given one as a six-year-old in 1932 by the confectioner Rowntree’s.The bar was created from a glasshouse-grown cocoa plant, at Rowntree’s headquarters in York. Continue reading...

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Mass evacuations in Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin brings more torrential rain to China

Forecasters warned the Chinese capital could receive more than one-third of its average annual rainfall over 24 hoursThousands of people have been evacuated from areas at risk of flooding and landslides in Beijing, as the remnants of Typhoon Dolphin continue to bring torrential rain to northern and central China.Forecasters warned on Tuesday that the Chinese capital could receive more than 150mm of rain over the following 24 hours, with some districts forecast to exceed 200mm – more than one-thi

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Massive bailout for Australia’s largest aluminium smelter expected to be announced by PM and NSW premier

Rio Tinto said in December it may cease operations at the Tomago aluminium smelter at the end of its current electricity supply contractAnthony Albanese and the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, are preparing to mount a major bailout of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter, in a deal worth as much as $2.5bn.Resources giant Rio Tinto said in December it was contemplating ceasing operations at the Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW at the end of its current electricity supply contract. Continue

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

Zambia Election: President Hichilema Faces Backlash Ahead of Vote

President Hakainde Hichilema was elected five years ago, promising to protect civil liberties in his copper-rich African nation. Now, he’s accused of trampling on them.

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

In Europe, the Total Solar Eclipse Is Hours Away

Sky watchers have flocked to places, from Iceland to Spain, where the moon will completely block the sun.

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

In Europe, the Total Solar Eclipse Is Hours Away

Sky watchers have flocked to places, from Iceland to Spain, where the moon will completely block the sun.

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

In Bali, a Quest to Restore the Sacred Glow of Fireflies

The insects, revered in local culture, are disappearing for many reasons, including rapid development to cater to tourists.

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

How Nigel Farage Ended Up Running Against Count Binface in Clacton

Nigel Farage forced a new election in his parliamentary seat after coming under pressure over his finances. His main challenger is Count Binface, a novelty candidate.

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

UK heatwaves may have cost economy £4.4bn in lost output so far this year, analysis finds

Verdant thinktank says cost could top £25bn a year by 2030 and calls for maximum temperature for working and urban redesign to cool down citiesRepeated debilitating heatwaves this summer are likely to have cost the UK economy more than £4bn in lost economic output by the end of July, new analysis shows.Green thinktank Verdant had suggested June’s unseasonally hot weather had an economic cost of £2.36bn. Updating its assessment to include last month’s high temperatures, it finds a £4.4bn hit to o

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Israel deliberately starting wildfires in southern Lebanon, firefighters say

First responders, residents and environmental groups say military dropping flares to destroy forests and cropsFirefighters and residents of south Lebanon have accused the Israeli military of lighting wildfires in the region, as forested areas burned down in blazes sparked by Israeli bombing.Environmental groups said the fires in recent weeks were part of a longstanding Israeli practice of targeting Lebanon’s natural environment. Continue reading...

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

British man with dementia told to leave Sweden after losing migration case

Exclusive: Horace Mason, 74, who has lived in Sweden for 25 years, faces being deported after court rulingA 74-year-old British man who has been living in Sweden for 25 years who needs round-the-clock care for dementia has been given 10 days to leave the country after he lost a post-Brexit migration court case.The deportation order comes after a Swedish court ruling in July that the government’s drive to reduce immigration trumped the needs of a man in full-time care. Continue reading...

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

‘A mouse can’t tell us what works’: UK scientists to grow miniature human organs for drug testing

Organoids and tissues grown from human cells promise more accurate results, with £20m Cambridge project to create standardised modelsMiniature human organs and other tissues are to be grown from NHS patients’ cells in a drive to improve medicine testing and reduce the number of animals used in drug development.Scientists will use the clumps of tissue to learn how diseases vary between patients, helping them identify which treatments are best for different people based on the particular pathology

general  Aug 12, 2026

NY Times World

Why Nigel Farage Is Running Against a ‘Trash Can’

Our reporter Amelia Nierenberg describes how the right-wing British political leader Nigel Farage, who is seeking re-election to Parliament, faces an unconventional opponent: Count Binface.

general  Aug 12, 2026

The Guardian

Progressive Peggy Flanagan sweeps Minnesota Senate primary in race defined by anti-ICE anger

State’s Democratic lieutenant governor bests Angie Craig in another election contest pitting a progressive against a moderatePeggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, won the Democratic primary for US Senate in the state, in another election contest that pitted a progressive against a moderate, this time with immigration issues at the center.The US Senate race in Minnesota, in which Flanagan ousted congresswoman Angie Craig, was yet another example of progressive campaigns toppling modera

general  Aug 12, 2026

BBC World

Baby Shark Boy set to make K-pop debut

The boy from the most-watched YouTube video of all time is now 17 years old, and wants to be a K-pop star.

general  Aug 12, 2026

BBC World

Bondi Beach shooting hero's assault charges dropped by police

Police charged Ahmed al Ahmed in June after an alleged incident with his father at a Sydney home.

general  Aug 12, 2026

BBC World

New Zealand PM survives second leadership challenge ahead of election

Christopher Luxon says he has "full support" of his party, after a vote of confidence 12 weeks before a general election.

general  Aug 12, 2026