British online newspaper, established 1986, now digital-only
A federal judge has paused an order requiring President Trump’s trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC in his $10bn defamation suit. The stay lasts while the court considers Trump’s request to amend the complaint to focus on personal reputational harm rather than business damages. The BBC continues to seek dismissal.
Liverpool FC is negotiating a strategic minority investment from 1892 Holdings, led by Amit Bhatia, with Bezos and Eduardo Saverin as part of the group. Fenway Sports Group retains majority ownership and day-to-day control. Value is estimated around £4-7 billion depending on structure; board seats will include Bhatia and Saverin, Bezos not on board.
Multiple rail derailments in East Sussex and Essex have disrupted services, with investigations underway and rail disruptions expected to continue. Passengers report panic and injuries, while RAIB inspectors assess the scene.
Bluetongue serotype 3 has spiked across the UK’s farm sector, with new cases in Scotland, Devon and Cornwall. Authorities warn vaccination remains the best defence as restrictions and show plans adjust to the spread.
The University of Cambridge continues its independent review into the circumstances surrounding Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure after his resignation amid plagiarism allegations and questions about his claims. The investigation will inform future appointment processes, with Cambridge stressing transparency and accountability.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners. The deal will complete in February 2027 with full separation by 2029. Argos will continue to operate normally during the transition, and staff will transfer to Swift. The move allows Sainsbury’s to focus on its core groceries business.
Federal agencies and state officials have reported coordinated cyberattacks that have targeted internet-connected controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least a dozen states since late July. Operators have had passwords changed and been locked out, forcing many plants to revert to manual control; officials say drinking water remains broadly safe while investigations continue.
Labour announces an autumn budget for Oct. 28, sticking to fiscal rules while expanding devolution and defence spending under pressure from Iran-related inflation and rising borrowing costs.
Randall Lane has been dismissed as Forbes’ chief content officer after it emerged he received a payment from RJ Shook of Shook Research. The payment, described by Lane as a gift, raises conflict-of-interest concerns amid Forbes’ editoral standards. The Times and AP report describe Lane’s resignation and the company’s stance, while broader public trust in media is noted.
A collection of Edinburgh fringe reviews reflect on how new plays interrogate ambition, identity, and the art industry. They showcase bold storytelling from Quaz Degraft, Eilidh Loan, Dan Bishop, and others, balancing critique with moments of tenderness and striking staging.
Burger King’s second-quarter US same-store sales have surged while McDonald’s growth lags amid inflation-driven demand for value. Wendy’s struggles, Subway expands late-night strategy, and a broader shift in the U.S. burger market is underway as consumers chase deals and quality.
The government has signalled a shift to reduce early releases from prison, with plans to speed up headroom creation in the system. Ministers are exploring options to keep high-risk offenders behind bars longer and to accelerate removals of foreign national offenders. The debate follows public outcry over the case of PC Andrew Harper and the possibility that his killers could be released early.
Rail operators across the UK are adjusting timetables and services in response to an amber heat warning, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C in several regions. Operators warn of reduced services, enforced speed limits, and potential disruption, urging passengers to check journeys before travel.
More than 50 environmental groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, saying he has not used the words "climate change" since taking office and urging him to link this summer's wildfires, drought and record heat to the climate crisis. They call for a public plan, an end to new North Sea drilling and faster investment in clean power and resilience.
British heavyweight Moses Itauma will headline London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 29 for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, facing Filip Hrgovic. The title win would crown Itauma as the youngest world heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. The bout is part of a broader heavyweight landscape shaped by Usyk’s vacating of belts and ongoing negotiations for future super-fights.
Myanmar’s military-led government is pushing a calibrated path to regain ASEAN engagement and regional legitimacy after more than five years of isolation following the 2021 coup. Bangkok hosts Min Aung Hlaing for high-profile diplomacy with Thai leaders and business forums, while critics warn such engagements may prolong the civil war and bolster the regime.
Sir Rod Stewart has undergone a routine coronary stent procedure and is taking four weeks to recover. Promoters say remaining US and Mexico dates are cancelled; he has resumed daily life and looks forward to returning to the stage.
A wave of Chinese automakers is expanding into Europe and the UK, challenging traditional premium brands. Zeekr, BYD and others are pursuing UK launches while major players like Geely, Volvo and Lucid push into premium segments. European and US automakers are restructuring to cope with China’s rising export power and shifting supply chains.
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is topping the Billboard Hot 100 for the 15th week, a record for a female solo artist on a non-holiday track. The track from her album Dandelion blends retro country with modern production, while Langley dominates streaming and social trends. Other country songs also chart in the top 10, underscoring country’s current pop prominence.
Savers have more options as banks, fintechs and platforms offer easy-access and fixed-rate accounts above 4% in August 2026. Several products include bonuses, with some rates proving short-term; readers should compare terms and ladder strategies to shield value from inflation.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has opened The Mad King, a Game of Thrones prequel, in Stratford-upon-Avon. The 3h45m production brings younger versions of familiar figures to the stage with a 36-strong cast and innovative puppetry. Reviews are mixed on pace and poetry, but the project aims to broaden GoT’s reach beyond devoted fans.
WestJet flight attendants have walked off the job over pay for duties performed while the plane is on the ground. CUPE 8125 says some ground work remains unpaid, while WestJet argues credit-hour compensation covers pre- and post-flight duties. A 72-hour strike notice has expired and negotiations continue, threatening further disruption for travellers over the long weekend.
A roundup of interviews and industry moves shows actors reflecting on work-life balance, late-career opportunities, and financial pressures. They discuss adapting to age, shifting platforms, and new avenues for pursuing creative work.
Princess Eugenie has welcomed her third child, a baby girl, in Lisbon. The birth follows the announcement of Eugenie’s pregnancy in May and the couple’s decision to delay naming the child. The baby weighs 6lb 9oz, and the couple’s other children are August and Ernest.
A wave of 2026 surveys shows Gen Z in the United States delaying major life milestones due to high costs in housing and education. Many rely on family support or deplete retirement savings, while rising student debt and mortgage costs reshape plans for homeownership, marriage, and parenthood.
Phoebe Bridgers’s Lost Weekend chronicles personal loss and public life, blending Americana with electronic textures. The album addresses her father’s death, a high-profile breakup, and a year of upheaval, while underscoring her status as a leading songwriter.
Bruce Dern reflects on a lifetime in film, from early work with Hitchcock to Cannes success in Nebraska, and hints at a new story involving Marilyn Monroe as he discusses ageing in cinema and the AI era.
Ford has announced the Fathom, a sub-$30,000 electric pickup built on a new Universal EV Platform. Prototypes will start in early 2027 with deliveries later that year, as Ford pushes a cost-focused, vertically integrated approach to catch up with Chinese competitors and Tesla.
Families and lawmakers have raised alarm about living conditions and mental-health strain aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after the carrier has spent over 240–250 consecutive days at sea supporting operations in the Middle East. Reports describe food and supply shortages, plumbing and water problems, attempts to go overboard and calls from senators for oversight; the Pentagon has denied widespread shortages.
The cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has weighed on U.S. salad chains and suppliers. Sweetgreen and Salad and Go have cut outlooks or filed for bankruptcy amid consumer fears, while Taco Bell is recovering from earlier sales shocks. Recall activity spans Mexico and 27 U.S. states, with health officials tracking the outbreak across the country.
Updates show a rising tide of subsidence cases driven by heat, drought and shifting foundations. Insurance payouts and delays in repairs are impacting homeowners, with thousands facing long remediation timelines and higher premiums.
The bid to host WorldPride 2032 is led by Pride in London, Outernet London and UK Black Pride, with City Hall backing. A logo-design competition will go alongside a global photo mosaic to tell Pride’s story, inviting contributions from queer communities worldwide.
President Trump has signed an executive order directing federal health officials to cut the federal recommended childhood vaccine list, to split the combined MMR vaccine into separate measles, mumps and rubella doses once single‑disease products are available, and to space routine immunisations across separate medical visits. Public health experts say the moves are unsupported by evidence and will increase missed vaccinations during a large U.S. measles outbreak.
The reflecting pool renovation has drawn criticism and spurred accusations of vandalism. President Trump has publicly blasted Pirro after she dropped charges related to alleged damage, while officials dispute the vandalism narrative and blame a botched installation for the pool’s problems. The dispute has intensified political tension surrounding a high-profile project tied to national celebrations.
Actor Ben Jones, known for The Dukes of Hazzard as Cooter Davenport, has died at 84 in Washington, Virginia. His passing ends a career that spanned television, film and politics, including a stint in Congress. He died of a heart attack while awaiting the Braves game, his wife says.
The final phase of the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceeds as protests flare and violence rises. Amnesty International reports dozens of civilian deaths and several security force casualties; two British nationals are detained amid ongoing clashes. The UK has updated travel advisories and ministers have engaged with Pakistani authorities.
Octopus Energy has urged customers to avoid running dishwashers, washing machines and similar plug‑in appliances between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday as a solar eclipse blocks up to 95% of sunlight. The move aims to reduce peak demand and solar shortfall, with customers offered two hours of free electricity next weekend for taking part in the demand‑shifting. Regulators warn of potential grid stress and highlight flexible demand as a national resource.
Hundreds of residents in nine Tower Hamlets blocks have faced taps going dry for months as a housing association delays repairs. MPs demand accountability while residents rely on bottled water and public facilities during a record heatwave.
A lawsuit alleges contaminated oysters from Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar contributed to a 44-year-old man’s cardiac arrest, prolonged coma, and permanent brain damage after he ate at the Oak Brook restaurant in 2025. The claim implicates two seafood suppliers and notes a history of health-code violations at Gibsons Chicago locations.
TikTok video shows Shake Shack kiosk auto-updating prices by 50 cents per shake when no tip is selected, prompting backlash and Shake Shack denial that pricing changes are policy. Independent and New York Post report the incident in Salt Lake City, with HMSHost investigating and saying it was a kiosk error.
The rare solar eclipse is visible across western Europe, with partial coverage in the UK and a total eclipse in parts of Iceland, Spain, and Russia. Observers are urged to use ISO-certified glasses and practice eye safety as the event unfolds today.
The 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up has been revealed, prompting debates about star power vs. new talent. Analysts note a shake-up in presenters and pros, with fans split over the cast’s appeal and the show’s lasting appeal amid budget concerns.
Four people have been charged in connection with an investigation into a home described as a “house of horrors.” Authorities say the conditions included animal feces, urine, flies, mold, and near-impassable living spaces. A baby and three other children were taken into protective custody, and three dogs and three kittens were seized for assessment.
Mangione could have pleaded guilty in the federal case over the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. A New York state murder trial is set to begin next month. The filing for a Friday hearing follows a pattern of talks between prosecutors and defense teams, leaving the exact terms unsettled.
The Kennedy Center's board has voted to place the inscription "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" on the building and to close most of the facility for two years for renovations. The move has been led by trustees aligned with President Trump and has prompted immediate legal condemnation from Democratic board member Rep. Joyce Beatty.
Three outlets review HBO’s Lanterns, a Green Lantern series blending crime drama with intergalactic mythology. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre lead a two-figure duo investigating a Nebraska mystery while the show juggles tonal ambitions and genre blends.