Freddie Mercury’s ‘splendid things’ to go on display at V&A 25. August 2026 (06:00) Eight costumes spanning Queen frontman’s career will feature in a free trail developed with his former fianceeEight famous costumes worn by Freddie Mercury, including the outfit featured on the cover of Queen’s debut album and the catsuit from the video for Bohemian Rhapsody, are to go on display at the V&A in London this autumn to mark what would have been the singer’s 80th birthday.Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things, a free trail developed with Mercury’s former fiancee and close friend Mary Austin, will run from 24 October 2026 to 17 January 2027. Austin is lending seven of the looks, which span Mercury’s career from the 1970s to his final years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe’s heatwaves threaten insurers’ earnings, rating agency S&P says 25. August 2026 (06:00) Rise in claims linked to heat-related deaths and illness, especially among older people, could drive up premiumsEurope’s intense heatwaves could hit insurers’ earnings as companies face a rise in claims linked to heat-related deaths and worsening health conditions, the rating agency S&P has said.While a long summer of extreme heat will have increased drought and wildfire-related claims, the rating agency said there would also be fallout for life and health insurers, and for the reinsurers who provide financial protection to insurance companies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS England to offer women ‘gamechanging’ free home testing kits for cervical cancer 25. August 2026 (06:00) NHS has target of eliminating the cancer by 2040, but up to 4 million eligible women are not up to date with screeningMillions of women in England who have missed cervical screening appointments will be offered free home testing kits on the NHS.The move comes amid concerns that only two-thirds of women attend in-person cervical screening appointments when asked to do so, leaving as many as 4 million women not up to date. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 35,000 excess deaths recorded in Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves 25. August 2026 (06:00) True figure likely to be much higher as it only covers about half of continent and does not include August totalsAt least 35,000 more people died during Europe’s four record-breaking, back-to-back heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, according to incomplete figures from barely half the continent.Excess mortality in three of the EU’s larger countries – Germany, France and Spain – alone has already exceeded 25,000, according to the provisional national figures, and experts say the toll will rise significantly once August totals are consolidated. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woolworths’ Ooshies craze causes Coles sales slump with parents shopping at rival supermarket to collect toys 25. August 2026 (05:59) Coles full-year results show that despite gaining market share over past 12 months, sales fell over four weeks of ‘competitor’s collectables campaign’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWoolworths’ latest Disney “Ooshie” collectibles have not only captivated Australian children, they have led to a short-term slump in competitor Coles’ sales.The latest rubber figurine promotion was scheduled to end on Tuesday, but strong customer interest meant Woolworths prematurely ran out of Ooshies a week ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woodside scraps long-term emissions and clean energy targets despite windfall oil profits caused by Iran war 25. August 2026 (05:29) Australia’s biggest oil and gas company recorded a 27% increase in sales profit to $1.67bn in the six-month reporting periodFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWoodside Energy has scrapped its long-term emissions and clean energy targets, even after enjoying a period of windfall oil profits caused by the Iran conflict.Australia’s biggest oil and gas company recorded a 27% increase in sales profit to $1.67bn ($A2.33bn) in the six-month reporting period, according to financials lodged on Tuesday, after the price of crude surged amid disruptions to global supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scots College trio who allegedly sexually assaulted teen girl have faced ‘repercussions’, judge says 25. August 2026 (05:25) Three boys, two aged 14 and one aged 13, on bail and yet to enter a plea after alleged assault in Sydney’s eastFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThree teenage boys from a prestigious Sydney private school who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl in an alleyway in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have faced court for the first time.On Tuesday the three boys, two aged 14 and one 13, all pupils at Sydney’s Scots College, had their matter heard in Surry Hills children’s court but remained outside the courtroom. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration plans to revoke 200,000 visas of asylum seekers 25. August 2026 (03:45) The state department will revoke B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, whose holders have sought or are now seeking asylumDonald Trump’s administration said on Monday it planned to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the US, marking its latest step in a sweeping immigration crackdown.A state department spokesperson said it was coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security “to identify and revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan enlists 1,800 people to drag a 360-tonne castle keep using ropes and rollers 25. August 2026 (03:10) After repairs to Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture, officials employed a technique known as hikiya to move the structure more than two metresTo chants of “so-re, so-re”, about 1,800 people came together in northern Japan over the weekend to pull a 360-tonne castle keep a little more than two metres closer to its original resting place as part of ongoing renovations.The keep – a fortified tower within a castle – had to be moved to repair a wall that was damaged in a major earthquake. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella announces immigration crackdown 25. August 2026 (02:34) Far-right leader echoes ally Donald Trump and says operations to ‘track down illegal immigrants’ should begin this week, amid earthquake aftermathColombia’s far-right president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced a crackdown on immigrants, ordering authorities to detain and deport people who are in the country irregularly or have committed crimes.In office for just over two weeks, the millionaire former lawyer made the announcement on Sunday as the country continued to grapple with the aftermath of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on 10 August that killed more than 300 people and destroyed more than 30,000 homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
