CIA director John Ratcliffe reportedly on Moscow visit 25. August 2026 (18:00) Unannounced trip reported by US media is said to be Ratcliffe’s first known visit to Russia as CIA chiefThe CIA director, John Ratcliffe, has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, US media reported, after flight data showed an American military aircraft flew to the Russian capital, where a US diplomatic motorcade was later spotted.CBS News quoted sources familiar with the situation as confirming Ratcliffe’s trip, saying it was his first known visit to Russia as CIA chief. Axios separately confirmed the visit, quoting a US official. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
London bus drivers resume strike over heatwave working amid fears over air con deal 25. August 2026 (17:59) Drivers fear bus operator’s offer to retrofit cabs on 730 buses will not be complete by next summerLondon bus drivers have resumed strike action over having to work in high temperatures, amid fears that proposed improvements to air conditioning will not be complete by next summer.About 1,500 members of the Unite union working across north London and Essex are taking part in the four-day strike from Tuesday to Friday, after industrial action earlier this month. Further stoppages are planned for the coming weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US consumer confidence falls in August as gas prices remain above $4 per gallon 25. August 2026 (17:56) Confidence index drops to 89.4 in August from 90.2 in July amid frustration after five years of elevated inflationAmericans’ confidence in the economy declined again this month as the ongoing conflict in Iran continued to push US gasoline prices above $4 per gallon.The Conference Board said on Tuesday that its consumer confidence index dipped to 89.4 in August from 90.2 in July. That was the lowest level in seven months but was essentially within the same lukewarm range it has been in since the beginning of the year. In late 2024 and early 2025, readings were consistently above 100. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
VW workers boo boss as he urges them to ‘pull together’ amid job cuts 25. August 2026 (17:47) Oliver Blume faces workforce at German HQ as carmaker struggles against Chinese competition and US tariffsThe chief executive of Volkswagen has faced boos and whistles of protest at the company’s headquarters after telling thousands of workers that a comprehensive reorganisation, which could include job losses and factory closures, is vital for its future.As Oliver Blume urged more than 10,000 workers on Tuesday to “pull together”, saying drastic restructuring measures at the struggling manufacturer were essential, they held up banners and shouted slogans, including: “Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking appeal, calling claims ‘demonstrably meritless’ 25. August 2026 (17:46) Maxwell sought to vacate Epstein-related conviction, alleging hidden trial evidence and juror’s abuse historySign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal effort to throw out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges and 20-year prison sentence, calling her claims “demonstrably meritless, and generally based on speculation, distortions, and/or outright falsehoods”.In a 67-page decision filed on Tuesday, US district judge Paul Engelmayer for New York’s southern district denied the former British socialite’s petition for relief, finding that Maxwell had failed to make a substantial showing that her constitutional rights were denied when she was convicted for her role in crimes linked to late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Badenoch plotted to remove Sunak as PM months before election, book claims 25. August 2026 (17:05) Anthony Seldon’s book alleges Badenoch asked fellow Tory ministers ‘if anyone was interested in changing the captain’Kemi Badenoch plotted with fellow Conservative cabinet ministers to remove Rishi Sunak as prime minister months before the general election, it has been claimed.Anthony Seldon, who has written political biographies of every prime minister since John Major, has alleged in a new book that Badenoch, who was business secretary at the time, phoned several other cabinet ministers to ask “if anyone was interested in changing the captain”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia may face a rush of datacentre construction as AI firms look to dodge upcoming rules, experts say 25. August 2026 (17:00) Regulations will require new sites to avoid pushing up power prices by building renewable energy plants and minimising water useGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPlanned datacentres around Australia may avoid strict new rules being proposed by Anthony Albanese if they can secure approvals in the coming months, amid growing calls growing for a moratorium.The prime minister is aiming to come to an agreement with national cabinet on federal regulations for datacentres at a meeting on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts ‘in two minds’ about whether gay people should be equal 25. August 2026 (17:00) Footage shows senator on stage at the Church and State conference responding to question about party’s director James AshbyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Malcolm Roberts told a conference earlier this year that he was in “two minds” about whether gay people should have equal rights.In footage from June’s Church and State conference, released on Sunday, the senator can be seen responding to a question about James Ashby, the party’s director, who is gay. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York business group sues Mamdani over city-owned grocery stores plan 25. August 2026 (16:48) Multicultural Business Coalition sues New York City mayor, alleging plan for city-run stores will harm smaller grocersA New York City business group sued mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday over his plan to create five municipally owned grocery stores.The Multicultural Business Coalition, which says it represents hundreds of small supermarkets, filed two lawsuits in New York county supreme court on Monday, arguing that the plan violates the civil rights of smaller, immigrant- and minority-owned businesses. The group argues that smaller stores would be unable to match the discounts offered by the city grocery stores and “therefore, will be put out of business,” according to the lawsuits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Billie Piper stalker jailed for 12 months after breaching prevention order 25. August 2026 (16:40) Philip Jerome, 49, repeatedly tried to contact actor in hope they would begin a relationship, court hearsA fan obsessed with Billie Piper has been jailed for 12 months after breaching a stalking prevention order.Philip Jerome, 49, from Winchester, had a sexual interest in the singer and actor, and repeatedly tried to get in touch with her in the hope they would end up in a relationship, a court in Hampshire was told. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
