Two men charged and drugs, guns and cars linked to CFMEU seized as police investigate alleged corruption 24. August 2026 (09:43) Police arrest five men and search six properties including the union’s Victorian headquartersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo men have been charged and Victorian police have seized drugs, guns and cars linked to the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the building industry.On Monday, detectives from Taskforce Hawk arrested five men and searched six properties including the Victorian headquarters of the union, saying they were investigating secret commissions, fraud and drug trafficking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dominic Perrottet’s brother allegedly shared ‘dirt’ including secret phone recording of minister, Icac hears 24. August 2026 (09:25) Charles Perrottet appeared to be furthering fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s interests by undermining adversaries, a former NSW MP claimsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDominic Perrottet’s brother shared “dirt” – including a secret pocket phone recording of a minister – to try to help a property developer achieve political outcomes, lawyers assisting a corruption inquiry have alleged.Former New South Wales Liberal MP and staffer Chris Spence told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Monday that Charles Perrottet may have been acting in the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif when Perrottet shared audio recordings with Spence in 2021, although he denied having knowledge of any plans Perrottet may have had at the time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK graduate job vacancies plunge to lowest in a decade 24. August 2026 (08:55) Just 8,383 jobs for people leaving university were advertised in July, says recruitment website AdzunaGraduate job vacancies in the UK have sunk to their lowest level since they started being tracked a decade ago, according to a recruiting site.Just 8,383 jobs for people leaving university were advertised in July, the recruitment website Adzuna reported on Monday, down 45% compared with the same point last year and the lowest since the company started gathering the data in 2016. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How do you vaccinate 1,000 tiny penguins against bird flu in the wild? It’s ‘really tricky’ but there is a way 24. August 2026 (08:11) Phillip Island’s ‘iconic’ little penguins get first bird flu vaccinations in what is thought to be largest program of its kindFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 1,000 little penguins have received their first dose of bird flu vaccine in Victoria, in what is believed to be the world’s largest vaccination program involving wild birds.Catherine Basterfield, the chief executive of Phillip Island Nature Parks, said vaccinations began early last week and were ramping up. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wild beaver kits born in Norfolk for first time in more than 500 years 24. August 2026 (08:00) Pair are offspring of two beavers who mysteriously arrived in Pensthorpe nature reserve near Fakenham in DecemberWild beaver kits have been born in Norfolk for the first time in more than 500 years.The pair of newborns are the offspring of two free-living beavers who mysteriously arrived in Pensthorpe nature reserve near Fakenham in December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Father of USS Lincoln sailor taken into ICE detention while son deployed in Middle East 24. August 2026 (07:42) Joshua Aviles says he is on a nine-month Middle East deployment and learned his has father has been arrested while he was waiting for green card approvalThe father of a US sailor on board the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East during the Iran war has been taken into federal immigration detention, the sailor said.The border patrol arrested Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, originally from Nicaragua, after conducting a vehicle stop in Key West, Florida, a spokesperson for the US homeland security department said on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guests joked Alan Jones and alleged victim looked ‘like a great couple’ at luncheon, court hears 24. August 2026 (07:28) Radio host’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial enters fourth week, with shock jock Jason Morrison telling court complainant C appeared ‘stuck’ beside JonesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFellow shock jock Jason Morrison has told the Alan Jones trial that guests at a luncheon hosted by the 2GB breakfast presenter were joking that Jones and a young staffer “look like a great couple” as the pair sat next to each other at a Sydney restaurant.Morrison, who often filled in for Jones, told the court a fellow guest made the “sarcastic” remark about the two men at the event on the lower north shore 20 years ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand to consider banning children under 16 from social media 24. August 2026 (07:22) Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s party to introduce bill seeking the ban, citing harm to a generation of childrenNew Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has said his party will introduce a bill in parliament that seeks to ban children under 16 from using social media, proposing fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue for non-compliance.The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, including by utilising existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New daily diabetes pill that helps with weight loss launches in UK pharmacies 24. August 2026 (07:01) Foundayo will be available on private prescription, with pharmacists warning of counterfeit GLP-1 problemA new daily pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss will be available in UK pharmacies from Monday.Pharmacists said the move would be welcome for people who cannot use weight-loss jabs, but also issued a warning over the growing problem of fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 tablets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Air conditioning push favoured over emissions cuts in six European nations, survey finds 24. August 2026 (07:00) Poll also finds sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air con in homesGiven the choice, more people across six major European nations including the UK favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, a survey has found.After four extreme heatwaves that have caused thousands of excess deaths across the continent, the survey showed between 30% and 52% of people in six countries had feared for their household’s health in temperatures close to or above 40C (104F). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
