‘Staggering’: watchdog condemns police after Indigenous teenager on bus wrongfully arrested – then searched 24. August 2026 (16:01) Ombudsman Iain Anderson says he is concerned police ‘had no clearly understood definition of racial profiling’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe commonwealth and ACT ombudsman has criticised the Australian federal police for failing to clearly define “racial profiling” after police in Canberra pulled guns on an Indigenous teenager who they mistook for a suspect in an aggravated burglary.The scathing investigation, released on Tuesday, made eight recommendations to the Australian federal police (AFP) and ACT Policing after investigating the November 2025 incident. ACT Policing sits under the AFP as the community policing arm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Survivors of violent crime criticise MoJ for not explaining offender restriction zones 24. August 2026 (15:48) Campaigners accuse ministers of trying to grab headlines with announcement before a working system is readySurvivors of violent crime and families of victims have criticised the UK government for announcing “world first” plans to introduce restriction zones for serious offenders freed from prison within a few weeks without spelling out how they would work.Key campaigners who have championed the idea of the zones, designed to “lock” offenders into specific areas, accused the government of seeking to grab headlines rather than providing the detail that would reassure survivors and families. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon price rises in western Europe ‘highest in world’ 24. August 2026 (15:45) World’s largest streaming services have also increased subscription costs repeatedly in US, research findsBusiness live – latest updatesSubscribers to Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video in western Europe have faced higher price increases than in any other market in recent years, according to research.Over the past four years the world’s largest subscription video streaming services have dramatically changed their business models introducing lower-priced, basic advertising tiers to attract new subscribers, while also increasingly monetising users willing to pay more for a premium experience. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French police accused of rising use of violence to stop Channel crossings 24. August 2026 (15:00) NGO criticises ‘human cost’ of UK-funded crackdown on attempts to set off from French beaches in small boatsPeople trying to cross the Channel to the UK have reported an increase in French police use of violence on beaches to prevent them from getting into dinghies, according to a French NGO.Utopia 56, which works on beaches from where migrants attempt Channel crossings, says so far this year 2,720 people have reported being victims of French police violence, compared with 1,954 over the same period last year, when crossings overall were much higher. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thames Water creditors accused of ‘shuffling chairs on Titanic’ with plan for new board 24. August 2026 (15:00) Campaigners say proposal for £10bn rescue deal in bid to avoid nationalisation is a ‘cosy stitch-up’Business live – latest updatesThe group of creditors pursuing a rescue bid for Thames Water have been accused of shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic after proposing an overhaul of the stricken utility’s board.In a bid to stave off temporary nationalisation by Andy Burnham, the lenders said they would appoint Liz Barber, the former chief executive of Yorkshire Water, and Clive Selley, the former chief executive of network operator Openreach, as directors if they are allowed to take formal control of the company. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Up to £464m ‘moved through more than 3,000 UK high street shell companies’ 24. August 2026 (14:49) Research shows firms are branded as beauty and convenience but apparently operate in money-laundering and terrorist financing sectorsUp to £464m has “moved through” more than 3,000 UK shell companies branded as beauty and convenience stores but apparently operating in the money-laundering and terrorist financing sectors, a new analysis sets out.The companies – listed as hairdressers, barber shops and salons, on the one hand, or mini-marts and corner shops on the other – show “remarkably similar lifespans” of about six months despite their seemingly different purposes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No 10 backs ‘tough action’ if social media fail to remove dangerous driving posts after A66 crash 24. August 2026 (14:49) Downing Street condemns ‘utterly disgraceful’ clips and says platforms are legally obliged to take the downThe government has given its full backing to Ofcom to take “tough action” against social media platforms that fail to remove videos which depict dangerous driving after a crash that killed seven people near Middlesbrough.The collision in the early hours of Saturday, in which PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died, occurred when a Volkswagen Passat carrying five people aged between 23 and 17 crashed head-on with a marked armed response vehicle while driving the wrong way on the A66. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner dies a year after son 24. August 2026 (14:44) Gardiner, who had cancer, is remembered as ‘one of a kind’ after competing in BBC show with son Sam in 2020Tributes have been paid to the Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner, who has died a year after her son and co-star Sam was killed in a car crash.The physiotherapist from Manchester died after “a long and courageous battle with cancer”, relatives said. She was 61 and is survived by her other son, Charlie. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey in her home dies aged 32 24. August 2026 (14:44) Sean Grayson, who was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2023, was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder The former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home after she reported a possible prowler to 911, has died, his attorney said Sunday.Sean Grayson died on Sunday, lawyer Daniel Fultz – who represented the ex-Sangamon county deputy at his trial – told NBC News and CBS News.The Associated Press contributed Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hakeem Jeffries meeting with Jared Kushner sparks backlash amongst Democrats ahead of midterm elections – live 24. August 2026 (14:42) House Democratic leader meets with president’s son-in-law has ignited fury amongst own partyDemocrats incredulous over Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner meetingSign up for the US Breaking News emailToday we can expect a new round of sweeping sanctions on Iran from treasury secretary Scott Bessent.The US also said it would impose steep penalties on any country trading with Tehran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
