The Guardian

Zomi Frankcom deserved more, slain aid worker’s family says, after Israel rejects criminal investigation

In a strongly worded statement, the Australian woman’s family says IDF announcement is an ‘insult’ to her memoryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe family of the slain Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom has described a decision by the Israel Defense Forces not to open a criminal investigation into her death as deeply disappointing, and called on the government to push for the release of evidence, including audio from the drone strike.Israel’s decision prompted outrage

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Russia launches ‘massive attack’ on Kyiv and surrounding region – Europe live

Zelenskyy says Russia had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of missilesAt least 12 people were killed and 40 injured in a series of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.“It was a massive attack – the Russians had been preparing for a long time, combining different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, aiming to cause as much damage as possible to civilian infrastructure. There is destruction in Kyiv and the region, as well as in the Odesa a

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Travelodge boss quits amid fallout over hotel chain’s security failings

Joanna Boydell steps down after widespread criticism over company’s handling of guest safety issuesThe boss of Travelodge has resigned after widespread criticism of her handling of security failings at the hotel chain, including a shocking case where a domestic abuser was given a key to a woman’s room before assaulting her.In a brief company statement on Thursday, Travelodge said Joanna Boydell had stepped down and temporarily replaced by its finance chief, Ray Reidy. The company has launched a

general  Aug 20, 2026

BBC World

Mushroom killer must stay in jail forever for 'truly dreadful' crime, appeal court told

Prosecutors say Erin Patterson's sentence was "manifestly inadequate" as it allows for the possibility of parole.

general  Aug 20, 2026

WSJ World News

Taiwan Floats Record Defense Budget, Sending Message to U.S. and China

The new budget sends a signal that Taiwan is investing in self-defense and is ready to buy more U.S. weapons.

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia

South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas says there have still been no detections in poultry or livestock and no mass deaths involving mammalsSouth Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has declared a “significant escalation” in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns.Malinauskas said the cause of the deaths was presumed to be H5 bird flu. Continue reading...

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Alan Jones’s barrister argues alleged victim was not groomed because that ‘happens to young children’

Sydney court hears complainant was more than 40 years younger and far less powerful than the shock jock when he started working as his driverAlan Jones’s defence team has suggested his alleged victim was never groomed because “grooming is something that happens to young children”.Complainant C was on Thursday cross-examined in a Sydney court over allegations the former 2GB star broadcaster touched him on the penis and kissed him when he worked for Jones as a young man. Continue reading...

general  Aug 20, 2026

BBC World

Four workers dead after being hit by train in Japan

The train collided with the four men at Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, authorities say.

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Farage using Christianity ‘to stir anti-Muslim feeling’, says Rowan Williams

Former archbishop of Canterbury also has ‘awkward questions’ for activist Tommy Robinson on his claimed faithA former archbishop of Canterbury has accused Nigel Farage of misusing the UK’s Christianity “to channel anti-Muslim feeling” and said he also had “some awkward questions” for the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.Dr Rowan Williams, who was the archbishop of Canterbury for 10 years until 2012, said there was an “inevitable scepticism these days about some claims to religious conviction”.

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Melancholy made in Hungary is fuelling bestsellers across the globe – and widely misunderstood

A ‘capacity for despair’ forged by political oppression has long been consider a Magyar national trait. But after Orbán, writers in the country remind us that melancholy must not always be bleakA lone visitor looks for a garden outside an empty monastery. A morose housekeeper won’t let anyone behind the door of her own home. A retired general living alone on a crumbling estate waits 40 years to confront the only friend he ever had. Melancholy, an affinity with oblivion without a concrete cause,

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

GCSE results: hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland await grades – latest updates

Students will begin receiving this years exam results online and in person from 8am (GMT) this morningGood morning and welcome to our GCSE results day live blog.Today, like every year, hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland anxiously await their grades. Continue reading...

general  Aug 20, 2026

WSJ World News

Evergrande Founder Sentenced to Life in Prison

Hui Ka Yan, once one of China’s most prominent property tycoons, has been sentenced to life in prison for charges including fraud and financial misconduct.

general  Aug 20, 2026

BBC World

Founder of collapsed Chinese property giant Evergrande sentenced to life in prison

Hui's sentencing marks a pivotal moment in the fallout from Evergrande's collapse, which shook China's property sector.

general  Aug 20, 2026

BBC World

Captured Ukrainian-born soldiers tell BBC why they fought for Russia

Men born in Ukraine who fought for Russia are tried for treason, but at a prisoner of war camp in western Ukraine, many believe they were defending their homeland.

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Monstera magic: Barbican hands out cuttings as ‘green lung of the city’ closes

Five hundred people turn up to adopt plants from conservatory that will reopen in 2030 after renovation projectAbove the waxy monstera leaves and bright pink hibiscus flowers in the Barbican conservatory hangs a giant net to catch the panes of glass that are at risk of falling from the ceiling on the unwitting plant lovers below.This precarious situation has caused the estate to shutter its greenhouse on the third and fourth floors for three years so a full refurbishment can take place. But the

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Oxfam ‘can’t guarantee future’ of charity shops as it also reviews warehouse business

Dwindling donations and stiff competition from secondhand sellers online prompt review but ‘no plans for closures yet’Oxfam is reviewing the operations of its three warehouses in Batley, Bicester and Milton Keynes and says it “cannot give guarantees” on the future of its high street shops in a “difficult economic climate”.The charity said it had no plans to close warehouses or shops but insiders fear that Batley, which houses Oxfam’s main textile recycling centre, will shut as part of a cost-cut

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Trump threatens Iran’s trade partners, as military strikes make way for economic pressure

US president pivots towards ‘crushing’ economic operation against Iran and its trading partners as military strikes fail to bring Tehran to the tableDonald Trump has announced a new campaign to isolate Iran’s economy, threatening “tremendous economic consequences” on any country that helps or does business with Tehran, a move that could set up a fresh confrontation with China if implemented.“Today, I am announcing the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country!” Trump wrote

general  Aug 20, 2026

BBC World

Russia launches missile strikes on Kyiv and surrounding region, killing at least eight

Apartment blocks and warehouses were targeted in the "massive attack" on Thursday, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Crown prosecutor tells Victorian court that all seven of Patterson’s grounds for appeal should failGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria’s highest court has been urged to dismiss Erin Patterson’s appeal against her triple murder conviction, hearing that the case against her during trial was “overwhelming”.On Thursday, three judges of Victoria’s court of appeal continued hearing arguments regarding Patterson’s bid to have her conviction overturned. Continue reading..

general  Aug 20, 2026

The Guardian

‘There was grift, there was thuggery’: Victorian premier says ‘nothing is off limits’ at construction royal commission

Ben Carroll releases terms of reference for inquiry that will include examining allegations of CFMEU corruption on state government building sitesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“Nothing is off limits” to Victoria’s royal commission into the construction sector, Ben Carroll has said, as he released the inquiry’s terms of reference and confirmed former premiers and ministers could be called to face public hearings.Th

general  Aug 20, 2026